Malawi President cautioned on spies

Mutharika: His Central Office of Intelligence full of dubious individuals

Malawi former president Dr Bakili Muluzi reminded his successor, President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika that upon assuming office in May 2004, he did advise him to exercise extreme caution in the handling of intelligence information that passed on him.  

Muluzi writes in reply to letter by the President who accused him on controlling the independent media, particularly Nyasa Times on-line newspaper.

The ex-Malawi leader said allegations are false and advise President Mutharika to stop peddling on allegations saying they have the capacity to undermine the credibility of the country’s top job.  

“Intelligence information has the potential to make or break leaders when not properly synthesized and utilized. I would encourage you to rigorously evaluate the information that you receive before embarking on a blame game,” reads Muluzi’s letter.   

The former president writes that he gave Mutharika numerous examples of how dictator late Ngwazi Dr. Kamuzu Banda, the first President of the Republic, was held virtually hostage by intelligence officers and political functionaries who routinely fed him with false information resulting in the Ngwazi making wrong decisions and creating imagined enemies. 

 “ Your Excellency, I am always amazed when you attribute to my name all the negative publicity against you even when some of such is borne from unpopular government decisions or where the citizens agitate for a cause that seem to run contra to your own way of looking at issues,” reads Muluzi’s letter.   

“Your Excellency, both of us are aware that democracy is government by the consent of the governed who must approve not only the rules by which they are administered but also the policies affecting them. “ 

Muluzi reminded Mutharika that he worked tirelessly to secure his Presidency and after the elections in 2004, went further in assisting him to form a workable government by talking to the leadership of opposition parties, and independent Members of Parliament.

“Your Excellency, I would also wish to remind you that I have personally invested a lot energy and effort in the quest of finding a solution to the political impasse engulfing this country today. Your Excellency, under my guidance, members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) have remained calm even after you decided to dump the party that sponsored you to the Presidency in February 2005,” said Muluzi’s letter.

He said the President’s strong worded letter gives him the impression that “there must be something seriously wrong with or in the manner that authentic and credible intelligence information is submitted to Your Excellency as the Head of State and Government.”  

He described allegations raised in the Head of State’s letter not only false but “concocted lies fabricated for ulterior political motives” by dubious individuals within the intelligence or your political system.   

Government insiders said Mutharika’s chief spy if Brigadier Reuben Ngwenya of the Malawi Defence Force and his deputy is Clement Kapalamula formery of defunct Malawi Young Pioneers.

The President also runs a counter intelligence network headed by State House spokesman Chikumbutso Mtumodzi with George Mtawali ably assisting him.