‘I cannot fire 7 cashgate ministers’: Mutharika defiant on Malawi grand corruption
Malawian President Peter Mutharika has put his foot down saying he would not fire any minister implicated in the K577 billion (about $856 million) financial analysis report in the wake of revelations that seven Cabinet ministers were allegedly involved in the mismanagement of the public funds.
A statement from Presidential Press Secretary Mgeme Kalilani says Mutharika cannot implement policy decisions on rumours and speculation.
He said the Auditor General has not yet released the details of those involved.
The statement comes amid calls for Mutharika to fire his seven ministers named in the report.
Social media say the named ministers are Mutharika’s frontline troops who include also Agriculture minister George Chaponda, Mutharika’s inner circle which include Finance minister Goodall Gondwe, Labour minister Henry Mussa, Mines and Energy Minister Bright Msaka.
Malawians in social media and other sections of society have expressed concern over delays to take action against the seven cabinet ministers but Kalilani, in the statement says anyone with information on the names of the seven senior cabinet ministers should come forward with the names with evidence.
Kalilani says the President is following the Attorney General’s legal opinion which is against releasing the names.
“The president too is anxiously waiting for the names and the companies so that collective measures are taken,” says Kalilani in the statement.
He accuses newspapers of “hijacking” the report to misinform the public, saying it is in public domain that the Auditor General has revised the figure from K577 billion to K236 billion.
He describes those commenting on the matter as ‘comedians masquarading as governance experts’.
Revelations of the K577 billion cashgate came hot on the heels of a forensic audit report by British firm, RSM (formely called Baker Tilly), that established that K24 billion was looted from Capital Hill between April and September 2013 under the administration of Joyce Banda and her People’s Party (PP).
Banda is on record saying “ There must be a stubborn link between the MK577 billion scandal of 2009 and 2012 and the MK20 billion cashgate of 2013.”
Observers also note that lack of political will has crippled Malawi’s anti-corruption bureau, undermining their efforts through political interference and threats.
Given Malawi’s political patronage system, it is highly unlikely that President Mutharika will put his trusted ministers in the dock .
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mr presdent its high tym u have had shed crocdiles tears ,,,,,,,do yu mean to say the whole presdent hasnt bin served with acopy……minus the acb ?……………………rily?
a mgeme kalirani kodi mumadya nsete za peter muthalika eti… dont spoil your career a peter atha kale zoti muzilankhula zinthu za nsete pano nde mupwetekeka…..
Chitimbe a DPP man don’t mention opposition. Just bring the 7 minister to book. I know Peter is also involved. My worry is Kamphasa will be in trouble if the names by tomorrow are not released for investigation by ACB.
Bisani ndithu mbava zinzanuzo koma musatitengele kuchala 2019 adzakuchotsani
It appears everyone knows the 7 names. why has no one listed 7 names on this forum which keeps mentioning up to now a maximum of 4, and How was Msaka involved? he was not a minister until after cash gate, in fact if I am not mistaken he was a diplomat part of the time of the cash gate. Too much speculation. This forum shows images of confidential memos and cheques etc, and you want us to believe no one has been able to look at this report and hence the names? I believe this is a ploy, so… Read more »
According to Nyasa Times contributor Wanga Gwede’s article of June 19, 2015, Peter Mutharika responded to a question from a reporter about the then K92 billion cashgate. The question was asked during a news conference held in Capital Lilongwe, on June 18th 2015, a Thursday. As Wanga Gwede reports Mutharika is quoted as saying, “he would pursue convictions in all scandals, saying his administration will not spare anyone as far as cash-gate is concerned”. The article also mentions that he, the President Peter Mutharika, during this evening news conference, was accompanied by Ministers George Chaponda, Kondwani Nankhumwa, Joseph Mwanamvekha and… Read more »
Efulefu!
O……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..O Munthu akakunena kuti ndiwe hule (usali hule) or kuti ndiwe mbava (usali mbava). . . . you do everything possible, using whatever opportunity, no matter how small; to save your name. . . . Why does APM seem not concerned or bothered, he is being accused of shielding some thieves? ………………………………………………………………………………. Do such answers as, “Am not aware” or “the Auditor General has not yet released the details”, show someone who is interested in exonerating himself from the blame? Not at all. . . . What if, for some reason; the Auditor General decides not to release or give… Read more »
That is so true,the APM would’ve been working day and night trying to cleanse the fact that he is being accused of shielding thieves
Otherwise this case is being studied and soon will be changed
Chititimbe lives in Iraq and Peter lives in Afghanistan that’s why the two of you don’t know anything about the report. If the Turkish president can fire the entire nation what are 7 ministers
Some people are sluggards. How can you compare the Turkish case with the Malawi’s case? How can you believe what the opposition is saying without giving you any evidence but the number of ministers? Hahahahaha if this is the way Malawians think, then Malawi will remain economically poor for at least the next hundred years. Is it surprising that they started with no any other name but that of Chaponda? Later they added Henry Mussa’s name and now they have added another, Bright Msaka. Don’t you really have eyes to see what is going on here? I could correctly guess… Read more »
Mr. Chitimbe, do you think those files handed over to ACB do not have names? Can the president not get information of those files? Really? Malawians are not kids. Why should these names be protected while those files involved in the MK 20 billion cashgate were released to the public? Are these sacred cows? Why?
Now you can believe that we have an organised team of armed robbers in gvt. I am glad we are getting to know the DPP better. We thought the arrogance was long gone but my shocking surprise may be this is a family trait. So yes don’t fire them coz we will fire all if you in 2019.