JB must rule Malawi to 2024 – PP north bigwigs

Peoples Party (PP) officials in the northern region have said President Joyce Banda must rule Malawi up to 2024 and then retire as per constitutional limit.

This was trumpeted by PP treasurer general Harry Mkandawire and echoed by Ken Zikhale Ng’oma and provisional chairperson Rev Chimwemwe Mzomera Ngwira on Friday at Nkhata Bay Boma during a rally where President Banda distributed 15 cows to 15 families and maize to families affected by hunger.

“You are just finishing somebody’s term. The constitution provides for only two terms of five years each. We know you cannot push for a third term. Your first term will begin on May 21, 2014,” Mkandawire said.

Mkandawire said Banda’s quest to rule Malawi is not motivated by enrichment.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Bintoy Kutsaira welcome Banda with a 'bow of the year'
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Bintoy Kutsaira welcome Banda with a ‘bow of the year’

“Is she someone who needs money? She already had millions when she assumed leadership of this country and was already doing Philanthropic works,” he said.

Mkandawire added: “I have never seen a brave and courageous leader like you because fighting corruption is like a war with the Mafia. Previous presidents engrossed themselves in corruption instead of fighting.”

A 2013 Corruption Perception Index report by the Berlin based global corruption watchdog Transparency International says Malawi is one of the most corrupt states in the world as evidenced by worsening abuse of power, bribery and secret dealing.

In the report Malawi slipped from position 88 out of 177 countries in 2012 to 91 in 2013.

Malawi government rejected the report arguing that it failed to capture efforts by the PP government in fighting corruption.

PP Provisional Chair for the north, Mzomera Ngwira said former ruling parties the UDF and DPP must not smear PP with cashgate saying it started during their time.

“Muluzi got MK1.7 billion but wanted to get more by trying to push for a third term. Late Bingu WA Mutharika siphoned MK61 billion. So we are surprised when they accuse PP of plundering government resources when they are the culprits themselves,” said Ngwira who was serving a similar post in DPP until recently.

He said Banda should continue to hold on to power as she is the only President who has taken a tough stance in the fight against corruption regardless of consequences.

“People should not say that you are going to rig or steal votes. It’s because people countrywide are satisfied with your leadership hence they will put you in power,” Ngwira said.

Taking his turn, PP deputy national campaign director Ken Zikhale Ng’oma said Banda should remain an occupant of State House for 12 years because she has transformed Malawi and destroyed corruption.

Zikhale then bestowed Banda with a verbal honorary accolade which he christened “Destroyer of Corruption”.

“You deserve this because it’s a tough job to end corruption. We are also aware that some of the people embroiled in the cash gate scandal come from this district and they are trying hard to link you to it,” he claimed.

President Banda patted herself on the back for being a star performer than previous Presidents.

She said DPP should not talk about Cashgate without explaining where it’s former leader Bingu wa Mutharika got the MK61 billion from.

“We want the money back so that we can buy medicines for our hospitals,” Banda said.

The President said she does not need a sympathy vote because she knows Malawians love her.

“I choose to fight corruption because I care for Malawians. If this is going to cost me votes I don’t care. I will retire a happy person because I would have made sure that the culprits are jailed,” she said.

Banda stressed that she would rather lose the elections for fighting corrption than put her fellow Malawians in danger.

President Banda flanked by Zikhale (left) at the rally
President Banda flanked by Zikhale (left) at the rally
Nkhatabay crowds
Nkhatabay crowds
Kutsaira speaking as President Banda listens attentively
Kutsaira speaking as President Banda listens attentively

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