Mutharika denies ill health: Says fit to rule Malawi, has US ‘white’ card

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Muthalika has denied reports that he had gone to United State to undergo medical checks, saying he has a robust health.

Mutharika addressing a news conference on Sunday in Lilongwe took a swipe at some sections of the media that had claimed that he is not feeling well.

Malawi News report on Saturday claimed Mutharika has been to three hospitals in South Africa and the US seeking medical attention.

Citing court affidavit, the paper reported that the 74-year-old Mutharika has on three times sought permission from the High Court where he is answering treason and perjury charges to allow him to travel abroad for medical reasons.

But Mutharika told journalists that he was in good health and strongly dismissed that he has been in hospital.

“In fact, I have gained some weight, maybe because of the festive season so if I was ill as it is being speculated, I think I could have lost some,” said the DPP leader.

“Suffice to say that sometimes I do fall ill, as anyone does but not this time. My going out was solely to see my family, friends and give out lectures. I don’t even know when visiting another country became a problem,” he said.

Mutharika also trashed as a load of rubbish from “sick and evil minds” claiming that he will be barred from contesting in the forthcoming elections owing to his United State Green card immigration status.

The former law professor at US University said his US Green Card does not constitute allegiance to America and insists he is a bona fide Malawi eligible to run for any public office including the presidency and as a member of parliament.

“Allegiance takes place when you are nationalised by renouncing your citizenship, and take an oath not by just paying tax,” Mutharika schooled his critics.

“Anyway, there is no any other country in the world that will allow a person to be earning  money on their land and not pay tax, so when I am in the USA, yes I do pay tax, as Indians and other foreigners do in Malawi,” he said.

“So my advice to government is that they should not waste time sending people to USA just to investigate my citizenship, they can just come to my home in Area 10 and I will show them the card. Infact, it is not as
green as they say, it is white,” he said.

He added: “I don’t know which lawyer is advising this group, I suggest they hire a better lawyer because they are just wasting money and resources.”

Mutharika said he was confident of running a successful campaign for May 20 elections and that he is set to be ushered into power.

“I am ready to be Malawi President come May 20 votes, no doubt about that,” he said.

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