Activist trashes presidential jet donations

Rights activist Rafiq Hajat has described as sick suggestions by a Malawian to solicit K12 billion in donations to buy a presidential jet for Head of State, Peter Mutharika.

Hajat joins hundreds of other Malawians on social media who have condemned businessman Sydney Ndembe for calling for the donations for the luxury of the President when Malawian patients cannot have a meal in public hospitals.

“This is sick, inconsiderate and inhumane,” said Hajat after Ndembe put paid advertisements in newspapers for the cause after State House operatives released a photograph of Mutharika at an Italian airport waiting for flight connections to Malta where he attended the Commonwealth summit.

“You cannot contribute for the luxury of one person when millions are suffering,” said Hajat.

He said instead, Malawians should contribute foe the suffering of other Malawians who have no food.

In his advertisements, Ndembe said the US$20 million presidential jet should be the asset of the state.

Mutharika has been chartering presidential jets until civil society organisations and the opposition severely criticised and condemned him as the country is facing huge economic problems that have forced the collapse of most social services.

President Mutharika on Monday said the release of the photograph of him waiting for flight connections was not intended to win public sympathy for government to buy a presidential jet, saying the government is not buying a presidential jet.