APM says no good relations with JB: ‘If she calls me, we can work together’

July 30, 2015 Thom Chiumia -Nyasa Times 97 Comments

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has said there is no good relations with his predecessor Joyce Banda but have said he is prepared to bury the hatches.

Political foes: Joyce Banda and Peter Mutharika
Political foes: Joyce Banda and Peter Mutharika

Mutharika made the comments when he was asked during an interview published by News African magazine if he was in “talking terms” with his predecessor Banda.

In responded, President Mutharika described the question posed by New African editor at large, Baffour Ankomah as “ interesting” and explained what he said was history to the relations.

“After my brother [Bingu wa Mutharika] died in 2012 and Mrs Banda became president, there was a campaign against my family, they seized my properties, vehicles, and I myself was arrested and faced trumped-up charges of treason. So there were no good relations, in fact there were no relations at all between her and myself before the 2014 elections,” said Mutharika.

Mutharika maintained that Banda snubbed his inauguration after last year’s elections, saying failure to hand over power to him was “very unusual. “

“The Sword of State, which is the symbol of power and authority in this country, had to be handed over to me. But she [Banda] refused to come and hand it to me.

“Then, again, Malawi was the chairperson of SADC at the time of the 2014 elections. There is a badge that is the symbol of SADC authority that she had to hand over to me, so that I could in turn hand it over to President Mugabe of Zimbabwe who succeeded me. But Mrs Banda refused to give me that badge.

“She again refused to attend our 50th independence celebrations last July. In fact a day before the celebrations, she left for South Africa. So there has been that situation, but as I said in my inauguration speech, I hold an olive branch in my hand and I am prepared to work with all the parties in the country and their leaders,” said Mutharika.

Mutharika said if Banda decides to call him, “I will respond and we can work together.”

The President claimed that Banda, who is currently out of Malawi,  is going around the world talking about “imaginary persecution.”

Mutharika who said he want to practise “progressive politics” said fears of Banda for persecutions are not founded.

“Mrs Banda has not been arrested. She has not been charged with anything. So I don’t know what oppression she is talking about,” said Mutharika.

But Banda recently trashed Mutharika’s offer of an “olive branch”, saying late Yasser Arafat, who was Palestinian President once said: ‘I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter’s gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand.’

Banda said this was a serious quote with hostile connotations.

“I take serious exception to the President’s ‘extension of the olive branch’ because he has never attempted to reach out to me if he were indeed to talk about reconciliation.

“Within the six hours of his being declared winner, my official cars were withdrawn. I woke up at six o’clock in the morning without any car. In his inauguration speech, President Mutharika started by castigating me. I have ignored all this and I have told myself and all Malawians that a country can only have one leader at a time and that as a country, we must move together into the future.

“Since I left office in May 2014, I have not uttered any single word to denigrate Professor Peter Mutharika; On the contrary, I have endured untold political persecution and abuse in the past year,” she said.

Banda said DPP government, through its spokesperson, Kondwani Nankhumwa told a news conference in Lilongwe on December 4, 2014 that they had handed over CCTV footage to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) that captured meetings between chief cash-gate convict Oswald Lutepo and her.

“This was an apparent attempt by the DPP government to implicate me in the cash-gate scandal. However, State House security officers have confirmed that CCTV cameras at all state residences have not been functional since the time of the former President late Bingu wa Mutharika. The ACB has been calling for the alleged CCTV footage without any success,” she pointed out.

“In February 2015, government announced through spokesperson Nankhumwa that international organizations should not recognize and honour me for my various life achievements before consulting the Malawi Government. Government went further to demand that I must always take leave of President Mutharika every time I make any trip abroad.

“I find such demands not in conformity with the law. I am a private citizen who can travel to anywhere in the world anytime without any restrictions,” stated Banda.

Banda added that President Mutharika has also made “serious allegations” to the effect that she had planned to kill him when he was arrested on alleged coup plot charges in March 2013.

President Mutharika claimed “fake doctors” had been hired to poison him while in police custody and that he has sworn affidavits of the alleged ‘fake’ doctors. Mutharika further said he would use this information when the right time comes.

“On May 9, 2015, at the memorial of late President Bingu wa Mutharika at Ndata Farm in Thyolo, government through spokesperson Nankhumwa, claimed they had evidence that I had killed President Bingu wa Mutharika and that I must therefore be taken to court. These claims are extremely serious and expose me to serious danger. This issue was extensively reported both in local and international media,” Banda said.

The former president said recently the DPP government weakened her security by withdrawing some security apparatus.

“The withdrawal of security apparatus, accusations of attempted murder and killing of a sitting President and the CCTV footage allegations are a source of great concern not only to me and my entire family but to many people both in Malawi and abroad.

“Malawians are aware that there is a total breakdown of security in the country where both police officers and innocent civilians are being killed in broad daylight. This scenario does not help matters in as far as my own security is concerned,” she said.

Furthermore, she said events of October and November 2010 justify her concern.

“ During that time, when I was State Vice President, my security was also drastically reduced and weakened. On November 19, 2010, one month later, I was involved in a mysterious road accident at Kanengo in Lilongwe. This accident was widely reported by newspapers in Malawi. As a family as well as many people feel the current scenario may be history repeating itself.”

She also accused the DPP government for not providing her with any of her retirement benefits, including a decent and secure home, transport and salary since she left office in May 2014.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Follow us in Twitter

97 replies on “APM says no good relations with JB: ‘If she calls me, we can work together’”

  2. For her safety, let her stay abroad coz achanganya awa a DPP sizocheza akafuna kuzimitsa munthu iwowa sachedwa moreover ngozi ya lorry pa Kanengo angayiwale ndani mmalawi muno. God be wit u JB and we wl kpon praying for ur safety.

  4. I am glad i am not a member of a party whose President is a run away cashgate suspect. Lutepo ali ndi umboni onse. Amalira Savala mukhoti lero.

  5. If Amayi is clean why can’t she come home?Everytime she is lying to us that Pitala is keeping a small pistol in an Olive branch as she learnt from her deceased Arab friend Yasser Arafat.Mmayiyu akudziwa kuti Malawi yachema ndinkhani ya cashgate ndipo akuinikikira patali.The moment she lands pa Kia azamumveka nawo unyolo.Akuona ngati amalawi akuyisekelera nkhani ya azinzake Lutepo ndi Mphwiyo?

  6. Mutharika ndi galu weniweni. Mbuzi mano kunsi, nkhumba ndipo kanyimbi. Misonkhano yake amati ya chitukuko koma nkhani ndi JB basi. Stupid and dull minds discuss people while clever and intelligent minds discuss ideas. This man Mutharika’s days are numbered. Akatsegula pakamwa pake ponyansapo zotuluka ndi zautsiru zenizeni. Vuto ndi anthu a kumidzi osadziwa. Amangoti poti ndi mng’ono wa Daniel Phiri basi tisankhe yemweyu. Malawi is not a family estate.

  7. Who calls who?to where?why?
    if Banda has a case to answer let her do so.if she is free let her go.release her benefits and whatsoever.pay her as per law.you can’t work together because you don’t march feathers.you are all malawians.

  9. dziko lakuvutan ili malipilo sakuoneka ndalama zathu kulemera nazo..ana anu ma xul odula kwa basi..mot mkonzeso tsogolo la anzawo ana anuwo..mwaiwala kut ana anu akadzalemela azidzawabera ndiomwewo

  10. I think Mama was supposed to come back home if we are to agree that she has a clean record as far as cash-gate is concerned. The more she run away from home, the more we think that she was connected somewhere. I feel that even if she can be prosecuted, she will come out clean ngati sizikumkhuza. So come back mama. This is your home, we need you

  11. Apitala inakupwetekani satanic kwambiri…u craving for Joyce’s sweet blood as a sucrifice…. Sungamuthe mzimayi amene uja nayenso ndikatakwe…ngati anamulephera mkulu wako Bingu iwe ndiye umutha? Wagwa nayo mdala iwe

  12. The President Shouldnt Have Washed His Dirty Linen In Public. He Should Keep The Differences Between Him And Her Off The Reach Of International Media. Moreover, Its The President Who Calls His Detractors For Talks, Not The Other Way Round.

  14. Wobwana APM munthu wAbwino kwambiri Tiyeni tigwire naye Ntchito kuno ku Malawi Tsono inu Mai ingobwerani

  15. May you Joyce Banda come back and face the Law after you may have no case to answer and APM already offered you an Olive branch

  17. Musiyeni mzimayi eeeee,mukhale mukumukonda osamupatsa ma benefits ake bwanji. Nanga cholandila security yake nchani?inu gwilani yanu ntchito ya kupha,ndi kulalata ife pambuyo pa amayi ndi chilima.

  18. Munthalika can not be trusted. He is a thief, a very corrupt man who will sell his own soul to get rich by any means necessary. JB has every reason to stay out of the country. The sad part of this unfolding drama is that APM has no clue how to get this county out of the mess he put us in. We continue to witness the most arrogance and looting of state resources with impunity. The only thing that can save our country is a bullet.

  19. I think peter is getting MAd hoW can he say that he wants to work with jb yet he insulted her leave our mama alone please

  20. If u cannot recognise Chakwera the Leader of Opposition during functions what more with JB. With all the allergations of cctv, allergations of Killing Bingu all on tape, JB is not safe in Malawi.

  24. Let us respect Professor Peter Muthalika and accept that he is our Leader so JB please humble yourself and call on APM

  25. Ask Nankhumwa. All the speeches are recorded and the World is watching. When JB was President you snubbed her functions despite genuine invitations. Last year you invited her what about this year? Please leave JB alone. She is not safe here at all and that’s a fact. I for one have doubts about DPP. 99.9999% things Said have no real truth in it. These things keep coming out Tha JB did this, JB did that just shows there some degree of bitterness. Please leave JB alone and concentrate on the issues of the country. Why concentrating on JB instead of all of us millions facing hardship. This JB thing won’t move Malawi forward. JB is Malawian and aprivate citizen doing her own things now. Let just unite and concentrate on development.

  27. MAMA JB ZKUONETSELATU KT NDNU OLAKWA Y MKUTHAWA?NZANU TU MNAMANGA KU NZUZA KMA SANATHAWE KOZ AMAZWA KT NDZABODZA,M2 UMAZIMANGA WENKHANDE OSAMA BWERA PA AIR ND TU MA STUPID INFO,ABAKHA INU

  28. JB should learn to respect Professor Peter Muthalika otherwise she is wasting her time in SA

  30. JB just come home and make peace with APM and accept that there one President at a time

  35. Mikangano ya Pitala ndi JB are useless for Malawi.Malawi has alot of problems to be sorted than listening from nkhalamba yachimuna ndi yachikazi ikukangana.You have both failed Malawi.Probably Saulos should take the mantle.

  37. If Joyce never received her Pension Package, How is she surviving? How did she bought houses for herself and her husband and also other houses for her children in UK and South Africa?
    If she has never received a summon, how can she claim to being persecuted? Does she think Malawi really needs her?
    How can she claim to have left her property behind at State house when she had 4 weeks to pack and leave the house? Even when 5 truckloads left for Nkhata-bay? What was in those truckloads?
    In conclusion Joyce is still crying for Presidency, forgetting that she became a president because of DPP and Bingu just chose her. The same DPP removed her from being a default leader.
    All who are crying for her and fighting Peter, I am sorry for you, just come back in 2019 for second round of the show. NDIZAKUNYENYA-NYENYANI!

  38. The bad relationship was already created by Bingu, was there any good relationship between JB and Bingu? That’s the source of bad blood between you and JB and furthermore you wanted to take over power unconstitutionally when your brother died suddenly, that is an open secret, why did you take long to announce your brother’s death if it was not to plan a coup?

  39. Joyce Banda is not a private citizen. The fact that she was the president her status changed even when she is an ousted head of state. Because of this, the government has to know of your whereabouts. A good example in time is what happens in the USA.

    If Mrs. Banda wants her benefits/pension then the best place she can receive it is in Malawi. We already are struggling with forex, where is the government going to find the same to send to her wherever she is? On the point of her being given a house, transport and security – how is that going to work since she has decided to live out of the country, does she mean a house has to be given to her in South Africa, a vehicle provided right there and security coverage to be availed there as well? Is this feasible and sensible?

    She goes on to complain that the DPP regime doesn’t wish her well, that they want her dead, really, is she serious? If Mrs. Banda feels unsafe and ill treated, why can’t she follow the proper procedure and the right authorities will help her other than seeking interviews with unsolicited media. The problem here is that whatever she is saying out there is being recorded and in future could be utilised as evidence just like what she is disputing now about Mphwiyo when she publicly pronounced that she knew who had shot him. To day people are quoting her and she turns around saying she is unfairly being persecuted, being lied against, being treated as such because she is a woman etc etc. As long as she remains in hiding this will go on and on until the day when things will come out in the open for everybody to see whether she was all along being victimised or she was indeed in the wrong. The crimes committed were not specifically against DPP, no but they were committed against the Malawi government which basically means all the citizens of the country. DPP may be booted out tomorrow but the government will still be operational, hence the cases resurfacing. My advice is simple, make yourself available now and have things resolved once and for all other than living incommunicado.

  41. Who doesn’t know that these two have personal vendetta against each other? His brother and him tried their best to ensure she does not become President. She became. When in power, she tried in vengeance to frustrate him not to become a Presidential candidate, tried to nullify the electoral process when she discovered that he was winning the race to no avail.
    She for-saw vengeance would continue hence kungothawa! I don’t know where she is because there is no news about her in New York or DC.There is no doubt about her feeling home sick. Kunjakutu timangokhalira concho ngakhale ukudya Dollar nkumasangalala, osalephera kupukwa kumudzi. You miss jokes that you could crack in chichewa nkumaseja, you miss anzako amene umakhwekhwereka nawo padwale kapena pa chulu.

  44. JB has the right to stay out of this country as much as she wants. Palibepo vuto. You now want to work with her seeing that zakukanikani, leave the woman alone. Form a commettee first, then you can take it from their

  46. Dr Joyce Banda already explained that the badge for SADC was among her stuff that was stolen in state house.
    I thought you chased her like a dog? Idiots

  48. DPP handclappers are very difficult to understand if you, as a Malawian, still think logic matters. When Ntata engaged high gear in his “barblings” , they told all of us that he was just disgruntled as he was part of the DPP and all the problems that was associated with it during Bingu’s rule. He has been arguing all along that an advisor does not make decisions for the boss, a contention Kasambara also has been arduously making in the recent past, and that he had in many instances advised otherwise. We all did not believe him. Now one memo has been leaked (my guts tell me it is genuine), the same handclappers have shifted the goal post, breach of confidentiality.

    Granted, could be breach of confidentiality, but first, acknowledge that he indeed sometimes advised against some of the decisions Kahuna made. Having been a civil servant, Ntata has for the first time my hat off for being so courageous as to tell the Head of State, not Bakili or Joyce Banda but the Kahuna himself, that he was wrong. You may think it is nothing, but I can assure you that even if you put a controlling officer/adviser in a closed up toilet, all to himself, and ask him to raise up his hand if s/he could tell Peter Arthur Mutharika was wrong when s/he felt so, nobody would raise the hand for fear of a secret camera being planted. Ntata you are a man, and I do not see why you would be scared by DPP threats now that you are no longer in government, nor in the country.

  49. You DPP thugs and your clueless President Peter, the political persecution that she talks about in her press release originates from the fact that you and your own govt has been making statements scandalizing her. How can it be imaginary when your govt has admitted that they are not paying her? What does withdrawal of security apparatus mean to you? When you accuse her of trying to murder you, what does that mean? When your govt announces that she killed the former president what does that mean?

  50. Peter Mutharika the treason case you were accused of shall come back even in twenty years. You wanted to take over by force and you should be ashamed. Stupid fool

  51. We all know Peter Mutharika stole Malawi housing corporation houses and it was a matter Malawians are still angry about from what you know the houses were not repossessed.

  52. From what we know Dr Joyce Bandas govt did not grab any stuff from APM or his family but Yeremia Chihana announced that Bingu had K61billion in his accounts in Malawi, SA and all over the world.

  53. There is no part of the constitution that says that the former president is supposed to hand over the sword. Kamuzu did not hand over the sword t Muluzi and both Muluzi and jb received the sword from the army commander. Those of us who were in Malawi remember this. Muluzi did it with Bingu because of their deal to run Malawi together. Unfortunately a few months down the line this did work. Eight months down the line Bingu retired from UDF. You demonstrate your ignorance with these utterances.

  54. Malawians know that APM has failed, you need people like Joyce Banda to help you. Peter you call JB you need her most that she needs you.

  55. Peter Mutharika before you start kubwebwetq how about giving JB her benefits as a former President. You haven’t given her retirement home, motor cade, you don’t pay her monthly salary, then we can start talking about reconcilliation. Musatipusitse

  56. How about APM forming a committee just like Mandela did when he went into office. Maybe borrow a leaf inu zakukanikani

  57. Peter Mutharika you can as well be a states man by calling JB, after all you are the one castigating her with your political rallies which do not add any value to our economy. Be a man let JB help you run this country

  58. Dr Ben Phiri please that know that Joyce Banda is now a private citizen.Obviously if Joyce Banda has a right to remain abroad if she feels not secure to be in Malawi. Any reasonable person would try to avoid danger as much as possible. DPP’s record of dealing harshly with their enemies is well known.

  59. JB is old news. She is a spent force looking for green card in the US to get Social Security benefits in her twolight years. Malawi- lets move on with economic development not housewives tales and petty politics.

  60. Hahahahahahaha a big man tsopano kikiki
    JB sanandipatse chakuti..
    Eee JB sanandipatse chakuti choti ndimpatse Mugabe kkkkkkkk
    Adakali ndi kampeni ku mphasa akuluwa.
    Pano ayambapo ndi Chakwera….eeeee Chakwera anali wakuti ndipo pano akupanga zakati….
    Za zi. The words spoken by big man are untrustworthy and fake (like a poisonous carot).

  61. George Kamanga sunati ulira, sunalire ulirabe, galu wachiweweyo akulumadi ndi a mako jb, kkkkk

  64. Honestly we do not have a leader in Malawi as at now. The whole Mwamuna fighting with a lady? Shame!!!! Nzovetsa chisoni bwanji.

  65. The president is being economical with the truth. His were not trumped-up charges no matter how much he tries to justify it. Being a seasoned lawyer as he would want us to believe, he should be in a better position than most of us to know what treason entails. Harry Thompson, Muluzi and Chilumpha were arrested on trumped-up charges but not him.

  67. We want development, not apm/jb bitching around and about like kindergarten kids.

    We have heard both sides of the story and we are God damn tired of it, very boring.

    Peter, my advice is if asked about jb, just tell them you have nothing more to say in the matter rather than start tumbling all over again as if your side of the story is the correct one.

  68. We love u Mama JB Khalani komwe Muliliko Mulungu akuyang’anileni.kuno akhoza kukuphani.
    ngakhale iwowa anali konko abwera atakalamba bola inu tavutika nanu limodzi konkuno.
    all these treason rumurs will rise if u can come.Let 2019 come then mudzabwere mwankokomo.

  77. This is no good for our nation!!! This war was started by late Bingu by sidelining JB then VP in favor of grooming APM his young brother. Take a leaf from Barak Obama’s recent advice that Nepotism, Tribalism and regionalism breed conflicts and is bad politics. Practice clean politics whereby everybody should feel and be proud Malawian. How does a DPP northern region member feel to be called Ahinya and trumped upon yet at the same time serve DPP???
    Avoid sending conflicting messages!!!!!!

  78. So what is she saying exactly? Is she going to be a runaway soldier forever? If yes how is she going to campaign come 2019 elections?
    If I were JB I would come home and face whatever is thrown in my face,defending myself in particular.

  79. galu mathanyula iwe, mwazi ukukhetsa mdziko muno ukuona ngati sitikudziwa kuti ndi iweyo, ife si andale koma timapanga follow up za dziko lathu. iwe wa satani wankuru Pitala, usatiphere mai JB wathu tikadamukondabe. usaone ngati utha zaka 5 ulipo ukhaula ndipo uyisovenge

  80. Treason is treason You failed to Rape out Constitution ….Your Day is coming you Grand Father of Gays!

  82. one word to you mama JB ,this is your country & kindly forget everything & plse come.

  83. Koma amangwetu, he wants a former president to call for dialogue? Is he in charge really of this country? Some of these Cyprus international university of Texas professors won’t help us at all.

  84. JB ill treated APM she had no idea that things would change . Lero kuthawa kwao kumakakhala kwa eni.

  85. George Kamanga, you don’t call a head of state garu wachiwewe, he deserves respect being my fellow Lhomwe. Joice Banda who was surrounded by Ahinya instructed a Mkandawire of CID at Police Hdqrs to hunt all Lhomwes in the civil service and when found, they should be prosecuted after being tortured. This started from the day Bingu died as evidenced by the cerebrations that were done at LL Golf Club. Ahinyas, ate danced and committed adultery in the name of Bingu’s death. As if that was not enough, the Midnight 6 were almost to die in the hands of Kanengo Police. That God who was on the 6’s side. George Kamanga, you could be one of the people who does not see the difference between rule of law and common justice. You have to sit all your fellow Ahinyas and discuss JB’s way forward!

  86. Breaking news: it has been established that the accident which claimed a life of a scribe by the name Raphael Tenthani was dpp induced..more to follow……

  88. Two very big, old people behaving childishly. Every time each listening to what the other will say/do and build rubbish news from it. I don’t like Nankhumwa because he feeds the President with all sorts of lies, talks on baseless issues as if he has any grain of evidence but all lies. I don’t like APM for believing in lies as told to him by his cohorts, led by Nankhumwa. I thought APM was a gentleman who could practice clean politics as Chilima does, believing and acting on facts only. But more importantly, I don’t like Joyce Banda for being too emotional. This shows sheer immaturity on her part, always fearing on speculations just to gain sympathy both from some Malawians and Whites. She proves she’s a cry baby. This fight between APM and Joyce Banda shouldn’t eat us Malawians. Resolve your issues immediately, you can even go kwa anyakwawa akakuweruzeni. You ain’t giving a good picture but shame to us Malawians even on the international market

  89. Between APM and JB who needs the other most? I think JB so she is the one who must swallow her pride and make peace with her new boss. Thats reality of life.

  90. Best Teachers, JB & APM, of lies for future generations of Malawians.Can today’s youths learn anything from these guys.

  91. Really Madam, are you a private citizen? I think the statements are an attempt to buy public sympathy.

  92. If Joyce Banda has no retirement benefits, where is she getting the money to glob trot. Ticket costs have sky rocketed.

    Joyce Banda is shooting herself in the foot.

    If Muthalika were to resign, now and call for a general election, no one would vote for her, because of the fact that she does not love the country, just the money that she can get from it.

  93. Inuyo a DPP? You want good relationships with Oppositions parties but you are busy scorning Dr. Chakwera and Dr. Joyce Banda at all your rallies. I wonder what good relationships means in your sight.

  96. My beloved mother please do not waste your time to come to Malawi at this time. Stay there & rest. APM is big liar & fool in the name of a professor. I am glad that you didn’t hand over power to him because he didn’t win the election but he rigged through Mbendera & Kenyatta Nyirenda. Let APM invite these two fellows to help him rig the economy & run Malawi well. I believe with the same intelligence they used to help him rig the elections & the same they will use to rig the economy so that he van run the affairs of crying Malawians. APM am happy that you have echoed yourself that our dear JB didn’t hand over power to you because you are not the legible President of this nation. You used alterative method to get there & I would like to advise you use the alternatives to solve the calamities Malawians are facing day & night. The is that APM ndiwe galu wachiwewe with the aim to torture JB when she can help you to solve problems. Amuna wovala mabuluku onesani umuna wanu. JB left something in the account number one but you are failing why? why? why? APM. With Quota system, tribalism, regionalism, biasness, hatred against Northerners forget that God will open doors for you. Your aim is to oppress northerners so no good can befall you. APM may be you can borrow what your brother stole & hid outside Malawi & when MRA gets enough you can get back your cash. Sunati APM uziwona zowawa .

Comments are closed.