APM confirms probe into sale of presidential jet by JB

Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Monday lashed out at those insinuating his is planning to buy a jet once the country’s economy stabilize but revealed that his administration is working to find out the actual truth on how the presidential jet, bought during President Bingu wa Mutharika’s time in office, was sold out without Malawi significantly benefiting from the proceeds.

Commentators have hinted that Mutharika’s government was staging events to influence the nation to support its desire to buy a presidential jet.

One of the event was Mutharika’s trip to Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) where he used commercial airlines throughout all the three connecting flights to his destination.

Through the trip it was also reported that the President’s luggage and confidential documents went missing during the flights.

But Mutharika has dismissed the assertions that his is contemplating of buying the jet, arguing some people are obsessed with the idea.

”I hope this nonsense will stop once and for all, government has no plans to buy a jet,” said Mutharika who was  visibly irritated by the issue.

”Lets leave this obssession and move forward”.

Asked about the presidential jet that was sold by the Peoples Party (PP) administration, Mutharika said government was still investigating the issue.

He said that upon completion of analysing the issues government will come up with a report which will be made public so that citizens will have to appreciate how processes were conducted in selling the jet.

The President said if something fishy happened in the process then necessary measures will be undertaken on those that were involved in the issue.

He warned that the arm of law will take its course on those implicated in the controversial sale of the jet that was sold under former President Joyce Banda’s tenure.

Mutharika highlighted that Joyce Banda and her administration contradicted themselves as to what exactly what happened with the proceeds from the jet sale.

”There are procurement systems in this country. If the procurement system was not followed, those who flauted the procedure will be found guilty. Believe me we will get to the bottom of this,” warned Mutharika.

The Dassault Falcon 900EX Presidential jet bought in 2009 by late Bingu wa Mutharika’s administration, cost Malawi almost $22million, a move that angered western donors who claimed that the jet was partly bought using funds aimed at uplifting the impoverished citizenry.

Banda sold the jet to British Virgin Islands company Bohnox Enterprises, and claimed the proceeds were used to buy maize and medicine for the country.

Reports, however, revealed that the jet was bartered.