Mutharika charges at media over his health question

Bingu was annoyed after journalists posed questions about his health and the political tensions which have mounted in the country in recent months.

The President, who banged his table after a reporter had asked him to shed more light about his illness, did not even attempt to answer the question.

"Am not answering any questions out of the China trip," said a furious Bingu, adding, "what is wrong with you journalists? You are the saddest and lowest form of life!"

"I am extremely disappointed with you people of the media, because you are so fixed to some ridiculous local issues, here I am. I have brought one of the most great packages of aid, K40 billion, but you are not interested to talk about it,'" said Mutharika.

"This is a society of sick people where we wish only bad things for others" an emotional Mutharika charged.

Mutharika bashed the media, singling out The Nation paper and Zodiak Radio for not tackling development issues.

"You at The Nation, why don't you write on development? I do not see articles on development there. What is wrong with you?" asked a charged Mutharika.

To the contrary, The Nation carries development articles in every edition, which are allocated more content and space than mere politics.

The President then warned Malawians not to pay attention to what Nyasa Times is publishing over the maize scarcity in Malawi as a result of ill-advised maize exports to Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland.

"It is true that the maize which is going to Zimbabwe has been purchased by private companies, among which is my own Bineth, but that's none of your business," the President fumed.

On the price of tobacco which was at 11 dollars per kg. at the start of the auctioning season but quickly dropped thereafter, the President accused the opposition, especially the UDF and the MCP for the drop.

Observers had revealed that it was the President's own tobacco which had been sold on the first day of auction, and that was coincidentally also the day the prices were highest, benefiting the President. After that day, the prices tumbled.

"What’s wrong with John Tembo? Malawi is sick why are you not appreciating the prices of tobacco?" fumed Mutharika.

He then went into a reverie about educational scholarships which the Chinese have offered Malawi. But he warned that the scholarships will only be awarded on merit, adding that no government officials' daughters or grandchildren will benefit.

Mutharika's own grandchildren and nephews were on scholarships to Taiwan and to a school in Lilongwe until recently.

According to the President's statement read by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Henry Mumba at the news conference, China has given Malawi a grant of K12.2 billion for priority projects including completion of the Karonga - Chitipa road and on the parliament building and K26.6 billion for other priority projects already included in the Memorandum Of Understating (MOU).

"The Chinese have assured me that the road project is now ready for take off. Also the Chinese technical mission is currently assessing the parliament building project and the project starts soon after that," said Mutharika.

The other money is K426 million for defense cooperation and K213 million for construction of two rural schools.

There is also an undisclosed sum earmarked to help the president's Democratic Progressive Party during the campaign period.