JB challenges Cashgate suspects: ‘My husband is a top lawyer’
President Joyce Banda has challenged cashgate suspects who are linking her to the infamous plunder of government resources estimated to be in billions that the law will exonerate her because “my husband is a Tonga and lawyer number one”.
She said this during a hastily rushed political campaign rally held at Kachere Primary School ground in Nkhata Bay South Constituency on Saturday.
“When I discovered the massive corruption I was warned that the suspects will try to hook me in once I exposed them. But I am not afraid because the law will prove me innocent,” President Banda said.
Some civic groups still raise questions about President Banda’s role in the massive financial theft, pointing out that an estimated $50m went missing after she took office.
Billy Banda, the executive director of Malawi Watch, is one of those who argues that the president needs to prove complete non-involvement.
But the Malawi leader said she was going to fight to prove her innocence with the boost of her husband, First Gentleman, retired Chief Justice Richard Banda, who is a law expert.
President Banda said her administration will not leave the cashgate suspects alone till they get convicted and also face lengthy jail terms.
President Banda donated 15 cows to 15 families under her trumpeted ‘One cow per family programme’. She also dished out 2000 50 kilogrammes bags of maize.
The maize donation comes after Government of the United Arab Emirates through the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has donated 13,500 metric tones of maize that will benefit about 7,500 hunger stricken families.
During the rally, President Banda also made an impassioned plea to the people to give her own mandate to rule Malawi on May 20 saying the two years she has been in power was on “transit lounge” and that with her mandate she will create a new team and style of leadership.
“The two years I am finishing were not mine. God gave me this time so that I can wait for my time. Ndinali pa Msasa (transit lounge). We should not forget that people were killed here.
“This country had many problems ranging from food shortages, fuel, foreign exchange and medicines. But I have worked on those and will continue to do so,” she said.
Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Enock Chihana bussed in his handful supporters clothed in full Aford regalia and President Banda patted him on the back for that.
The rally was speeded up because of the incessant showers and only President Banda, Traditional Authority Fukamapiri and PP vice President for the centre Uladi Mussa aka ‘Chenji Golo’ spoke.
President Banda spoke for only 15 minutes where she mainly touted her government’s supposedly achievements from April 2012 when she assumed the reins of power following the death of her predecessor Professor Bingu wa Mutharika.
PP vice President for the North and State Vice President Khumbo Kachali was conspicuously absent.
Speaking earlier Traditional Authority Fukamapiri claimed all Chiefs in Nkhata Bay and their subjects already endorsed President Banda.
“As Chiefs we know how people will vote and from this side it’s definitely your vote,” Fukamapiri said.
However, the mood on the ground looks differently.
