Civil Society faults ‘muted’ Mutharika on Malawi Savings Bank saga
Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) on Saturday took a swipe at President Peter Mutharika for being silent on issues involving the controversial the sale of Malawi Savings Bank (MSB).
The CSOs leaders made the statements in Lilongwe when they held a news conference, renewing the claims that the move to sale the state-owned bank is aimed at settling debts of “greedy politicians and businessmen.”
CSOs led by human rights activist Billy Mayaya, who was flanked by Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation(CHRR) boss Timothy Mtambo and Centre for the Development of People(CEDEP) director Gift Trapence urged Mutharika to come out and speak on the issue.
“He is a Malawi President but it has been a common practice to see him remaining mute on crucial issues of national importance,” said Trapence.
The CSOs have make fresh calls asking Mutharika government not to sell the people’s bank, saying failing to resolve this issue will generate into CSOs mobilizing Malawians in all the three regions and hold country wide anti-government demonstrations.
They have called for forensic audit into the bank while blaming the bank management over the mess at MSB.
The CSOs have also called upon Parliament to among others summon Minister of Finance, Secretary to the Treasury and Public and Private Partnership Commission to appear before the House and explain issues surrounding the sale.
The CSOs also called on government, which recently unveiled plans to issue K6 billion promissory notes to clear the bank’s toxic assets, to, instead, seize assets of businesses and individuals who owe billions to the bank.
Recentlym, the activistsy led hundreds of Malawians in Lilongwe in protest against the controversial sale of MSB and the decision by government to bail out some individuals and private companies by settling over K6 billion of toxic assets owed to the bank.
Meanwhile, the CSOs have requested immediate transfer of the MSB Chief Executive Officer, Ben Bonongwe.
WHEN ONE BORROWS MONEY ANYWHERE ARE THERE SURETIES OR GUARANTEES?
HOW WAS IT DONE?
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.
ON PARLIAMENT; BWB
ESCOM
WHAT ARE THE DEBATES ON THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES WHEN WE HEAR THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED WITH CHOLERA?
Commenting or not commenting does not put bread on the table for an ordinary Malawian.I think the best option is to solve the crisis which MSB IS CURRENTLY IN.
kaya zanu izo munawavotela nokha..inu nkhalamba ngati imene ija inagapange chani//
WHAT CAN AN OLD 84 YR OLD SAY? USELESS PRESIDENT.
KOMA ZA BEAM.
Mufuna ayankhule chani inu anysa timati Ian Bonongwe osati Ben Bonongwe
mkulu wazachisankho analira. sitikudziwa kuti amalira chani.. koma analira
Please CSO leaders vet your decision before you bring it to the public. Surely what is wrong with the sale of MSB? Why do you want the President to comment? Furthermore you want us to go in the streets for what? May I bring this message to our CSOs that we are no longer dull. We will respect you only on clever or wise issues not otherwise.
Akulu akulu mukakhala m’mwamba mwa Mtengo midzuona pansi; Ndaona anthu ena aiwala kale akumanena kuti ndani inu Peter sangataye nthawi kumayakha zimenezo; Do not forget sikale pamene Gadafi ankanena RATS; dzanadzanali akamuzu ndi untouchables nakanena kuti abongololo mwina enanu munali tiyana; Nkhani osamayitengera zibwana imaononga zambiri; MSB sale there is alot happening; PPPC ndi utambwali wake ina ika ACB, Auditor members in the evaluation team ; This is wrong and very wrong, kusonyeza kuti chitalakwika ACB can not question, In the laws this is not accepted, who is going to do counter check. u do not involve these organisation in… Read more »
Peter speaks on far much less important issues such as fundraising for his dpp or beam but avoids more important national issues such as msb, nacgate, etc. Why?
It is not good enough to say other relevant people speak for him, well others can also speak for him in these well wishers fundraising events he attends. Isn’t it a wonder that people are saying our govt is headless?
We are not saying Peter should speak in all issues but only on some which the country feel are very important that requires the president himself lead.
Amene akudziwa za finances and commerce MSB has to go! Ma CSO kuthamanga blood and you listen to interested parties who use you for political milage. Dzimafuna prudence idzi osamangoti bwetubwetu with half truths.