ACB harasses Malawi’s former first lady
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and former president Bakili Muluzi drama took another twist Friday night as the graft bursting body failed to seize vehicles at the BCA residence which houses the former president after they had realised that the targeted vehicles are registered in former first lady Dr. Shanil Muluzi’s name.
But even if the vehicles were in the former president’s name, it would have been difficult for the corrupt watchdog to go ahead with the seizure as hundreds of UDF supporters mainly from populous Bangwe Township and vendors from Limbe market rushed to the scene and blocked the gates stopping the ACB officials from entering into the five star residence.
The irate supporters warned the ACB officials that any further attempts to harass the ailing former president would result into uncontrollable blood-shed or civil war.
“What do you want from Atcheya (Muluzi) you know the man is sick and you want to continue squeezing him why? If you think that we’re stupid then you have miscalculated your game,” said an angry heavily built charcoal vendor from Limbe market who wanted to grab the neck of one of the officials but was quickly stopped by his friends and a horde of Muluzi’s heavily armed security guards who were watching the drama from within the distance.
Another shouted: “If you attempt to pass through these gates then you will know that UDF originated from the bush to fight dictatorship and we are ready to shed blood or even die for our leader Dr Bakili Muluzi.”
A possible chaos was neutralised with the arrival of former first lady Shanil who was visibly calm and cooperative. She told the ACB officials that all the vehicles that are parked inside the gates initially belong to her.
This took the ACB officials by surprise as they had thought the fleet of posh vehicles that include, Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus Cruiser, Bentley, several Mercedes Benz cars and Nissan Patrol among several others belonged to the former president.
Meanwhile, an unidentified ACB official who was leading the group was quickly seen calling his boss Alex Nampota.
After the phone conversation the official, instructed his men to leave the place and that they should go back to the ACB headquarters where Nampota would tell them what to do next.
Commenting on the development a Blantyre based constitutional lawyer told Nyasa Times that it could have been violation of powers for the ACB to seize vehicles that do not belong to the accused.
“But if they are really serious about victimising Dr. Muluzi’s family then they can go to court and open a case against Muluzi’s wife,” said the lawyer who has been appearing on state television recently selling the ruling DPP agenda especially during the campaign period.
Nyasa Times is yet to get a statement from the Muluzi’s family or his lawyers who were reportedly locked in a meeting discussing the issue.
The actions by ACB come before the pending High Court ruling on July 8 where Justice Edward Twea is expected to deliver a ruling on whether the ACB should go ahead to seize the vehicles and BCA residence as a bond before Muluzi leaves the country for UK where is expected to receive treatment on his slip discs that dislocated during the 2004 campaign that catapulted president Mutharika to power.
Tagged with: ACB, Muluzi, Nampota, Shanil Muluzi, UDF
It is sad that most Malawians are sadists. All they want is to see other people suffer and possibly only them being in the lime light.
Can we not learn from the developed countries how they treat each other. Why do you think they treat each other well because they know that when you are in authority especially as President or Prime Minister there are certain things you cannot avoid to do that for an ordinary man might appear bad but because you are in control and would like possibly to save a situation.
George W Bush, Tony Blair even Koffi Annan with the scandal that affected his son, have they been arrested? This is not only respect for these their friends but they also respect their countries and human dignity. Ife tilibe human dignity.
I would wish to join the CILIC Director to request A Bingu to set free Dr Bakili Muluzi and let him earn the respect he deserves. I liked VP’s statement at the Stadium on 6th July 2009 that “We should remember of honour those that put us where we are today”.
Yes it is Malawians who gave the mandate for Dr Bingu to become president but if it was not for the wisdom and hand picking that Dr Muluzi did may be the story would have been different.
I would like to urge Dr Bingu to be a true statesman and respect Dr Bakili “Atcheya”. He will actually gain more respect than losing it for doing this. Malawians are not stupid or sleepy they are watching every step. Why did Mr Tembo not make it? One thing that Dr Muluzi and all those that worked tirelessly from 1992 to 2004 is that they made Malawians to be analytical, determined and making their choices right. Malawians had no choice in the 2009 elections and that is why we are in Government. So let us be very careful when we make some of these decisions especially humuliating a former Head of State, it is just not right. We know about Dr Banda which involved deaths of four big figures. But when the case was finalised he was let free. Let us learn to live like human beings
No! No! No! The issue is not between Bingu and Muluzi but rather Muluzi and the Malawi Nation. Please don’t go astray on a clear matter like this one. Another thing that you should know is that respecting a person does not mean avoiding investigating him when he is suspected to have done something wrong. What is happening here is not disrespect for Muluzi but rather justice taking its course. Do you want Bingu to interfere with justice and let Muluzi go uninvestigated? We Malawians want justice on this matter. If you say that some people are happy to see others suffering then Muluzi should be the first one because he stole that large sum of money at the expense of the whole Malawi Nation. He wanted all of us to be his beggers. Let him prove himself innocent in the court of law. More fire ACB!
Iwe accussedperson ndiwe mwana wanzeru kwabasi.Eeti iwowo amafuna kuti ACB asafufuze eti zoonna….mbava zinzawo zimadya nawo zagwira mwala pano.
Why do you say things in plural form and yet you are an individual? This matter is to do with justice and not Accusedperson per say. Dont pretend to be God even if you are ACB or Mulhakho, remember that if Muluzi stole money Bingu too used the very same money to get him into government in 2004…..So what the hell are you talking about?
Kodi Atcheya simunawapangebe release? Pliz i plead with u, asiyeni nawo amere nnofu wa bakha. Mawa ndi inutu.
I thought I would read about how the former first lady was harassed in the body of the story-is that the right headline for the story?
Steve M, that is part of journalism gimmicks. To catch, you, the readers’ attention! She was polite that is why possibly they harassers did not succeed they were embarrased as they ought to.
How can justice be prevailed to only one person,party and those who are ant Bingu? After all,ana Bingu are stealing and ACB clue are aware of this.Ask Bingu why he has changed former finance minister,How much money Ntaba stole from the government,What about Kaliyati`s and katopola` scene.We are watching you Guys and i encourage you to humuliate him then next will Bingu.Ask Bingu the 22 cars he purchased without parliament approval and the other scandal he has commited which is not yet known.Bravo Bingu Alhomwe onse alowe M`boma ndi nthawi yanu!
Hey Malawians leave Bakili alone just write off whatever it is. Its time we respect and leave him alone ,you will be shocked to see that him and Bingu are good friends out there and you are being used on rubbish issues hands off pliz
rightly so Steve M. it don’t make sense that head line…. slowly but sure – we malawians we will get there… he says
Chirungamo ndi chowawa, zimakoma podya pokhatu zithu zakuba. Akakungwira ndi ku makuzenga milandu mkumati akumphera ufulu. BRAVO ACB awone polekera enawa.
iwe bingu , leave muluzi alone wayiwala lero muluzi wayipa eti. nthawi izakwana .