Mutharika being generous to Joyce Banda – State House
State House has said President Peter Mutharika is being “generous” to ex-leader Joyce Banda after government has bought two Toyota VX V8 for Banda.
Presidential press officer Justice Mponda said Mutharika has not added any vehicles to his motorcade but instead directed that his predecessor be given the new fleet.
“According to the laws of the country, the official of the former president is entitled to two vehicles to ease mobility problems. In fact the President is being generous because the two vehicles beat the requirements,” Mponda is quoted in the press as saying.
Mponda said Mutharika directed the government to purchase “two brand new Toyota vehicles” for former president Banda.
“In doing so the President is living up to his pledge to extend an olive branch to the former president and end a tradition of cat and mouse relationship that exists between former presidents and their successors,” said State House press officer.
The Malawi leader said after winning the disputed May 20 elections that he is offering an “olive branch” to Banda.
Mutharika was charged with treason in March 2013 under Joyce Banda administration after being accused of plotting a coup. He denied the charge and the case has since been discontinued.
Banda failed in a bid to annul Mutharika’s victory in last month’s election. She called for a re-election, saying the election had been marred by widespread fraud but later accepted defeat after coming third.
She is the second serving Malawian president to lose an electioN, first it was Kamuzu Banda who was defeated by Bakili Muluzi in 1994.
