Minister Chiumia denies defrauding Mkandawire family
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Grace Obama Chiumia has denied defrauding the family of widow Cecilia Mkandawire, who claims the Minister owes her K13.6 million from sale of a building.
Mkandawire and her son Mwiza reportedly sold a lodge to US organization Hope Ministry, which advised Garry Widows Organisation of Mzuzu to handle the sale. The property was valued at US $93,000, which at the time of the sale translated to MK40 million.
The Mkandawires, however, only got K26 million before engaging lawyer Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda to help them get the remaining K13.6 million from the buyer.
Mkandawire claims to have been told by her lawyer that all the money was paid through Garry Widows Organisation but that the organization did not remit the money in full.
The lawyer went to court, which ordered Garry Widows to pay the balance. After failure by the buyer to pay the balance, the lawyer obtained a warrant of seizure of property belonging to Garry Widows and Chiumia.
Reacting to the claims by the Mkandawire family, Chiumia, one of the founding members of Garry Widows told Nyasa Times on Friday that she never pocketed any money from the US organization.
“It is true the US Organisation advised our organization to handle the sale but the problem was that they took too long to transfer the money and when the money was transferred from the US, the then PP Government had significantly devalued the Kwacha and the amount came to K26 million.
“I personally wrote the US organization about the development and have emails, which I can show you. I did not get even a tambala from the sale agreement and I am surprised that my name is being mentioned,” said Chiumia in exclusive interview with Nyasa Times.
The Minister said she was surprised to hear that Sheriffs were at her place to seize her property.
“I was told today that Sheriffs had gone to my place to seize property and I issued instructions that they should let them get the property which they did. The truth is going to
prevail when the people from US come to Malawi.
“They are coming to resolve that issue and once my name is cleared, will also take the necessary measures. My lawyers are actually working on the issue,” said Chiumia.
Mwiza Mkandawire said they were advised by lawyer and rights activist Seodi White to drag Chiumia to court.
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