APM rejects Malawi govt shielding DPP culprits in K577bn cashgate

President Peter Mutharika has reacted angrily that his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government is shielding his cronies accused of embezzling K577 billion during the reign of former president Bingu wa Mutharika.

“What do you mean by that? We are prosecuting the Peoples Party officials in the cash-gate because they were in government. You do not expect the state to prosecute Malawi Congress Party officials when they have not done anything wrong. Should the state prosecute them for the sake of prosecuting them, no,” said Mutharika.

The President was responding to recommendations by Public Affairs Committee (PAC) to speed up prosecutions of those involved in the K577 billion cashgate, saying there should be no sacred cows.

PAC chairman Felix Chingota courageously told Mutharika in the face to ensure he brings DPP and government officials to book if evidence linked them to the multibillion loot of government money at Capital Hill, the seat of government in Lilongwe.

Mutharika said the government was waiting for the K577 billion report from parliament, saying the government cannot do anything until parliament discusses it.

He said he would not shield anyone if connected to the public money loot.

Deputy chairperson of parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Kamlepo Kalua said his committee failed to discuss the report due to shortage of time. “

The report was given to us, we looked at it but we did not have time to discuss the contents. I hope the committee will be funded before May so that we can meet and discuss the contents,” he said.

He said it looks like the money has increased from K577 billion to K1 trillion, saying the DPP led government of Bingu failed to reconcile bank statements.

Kamlepo alleged some senior DPP officials now forming part of Peter Mutharika cabinet were involved in the scam, vowing “if government does not fund us, I will personally spill the beans. I do not care whether they will kill me.”