Joyce Banda counters Malawi govt statement: Insists on facing victimisation

Malawi former president Joyce Banda has rejected claims by government it has duly provided her requirements of a retired president as stipulated by the Presidents (Salaries and Benefits) Act of 1994, saying government is giving adulterated information.

Joyce Banda: Insists on security concerns
Joyce Banda: Insists on security concerns

According to the Presidents (Salaries and Benefits) Act, a former president is entitled to a tax-free monthly pension, a house or a housing allowance where a house is not provided, two motor vehicles, medical services and six security guards, among other staff and benefits.

Minister of Information, Tourism and Civic Education Jappie Mhango, who is also official government spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday upon her retirement, Banda received a tax-free lump sum gratuity of K30 million ($49,931.4) comprising K12 million ($19,972.6) and K18 million ($29,958.9) being gratuity in her capacity as former vice-president and former president respectively.

Banda’s spokesperson Andekuche Chanthunya said although the gratuity was paid upon departure from office, not been paid salary since she left office 18 months ago and insists that she is being denied her retirement benefits, including accommodation and security.

Government spokesman confirmed Banda is yet to start receiving her monthly pension, saying the former president’s pension is currently being processed by the Director of Pensions at the Accountant General’s Office.

Banda also disputed Mhango’s statement that government through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development asked her through her representatives to identify a house after nine houses which were shown to the retired chief justice Richard Banda on behalf of the former president were rejected in an identification process.

Chanthunya said the house was withdrawn and not that she rejected and also that house that she refused to occupy was “not secure.”

“Malawians should know that when Kamuzu left State House, he was moved to Mudi and the VP lived in Nyambadwe house.  Perhaps Malawians needs to be told by the government spokesperson what happened to Nyambadwe State House and who took it to be their own property.  When President Bakili Muluzi left office he was given a house in Lilongwe.  People need to go and see the house and compare it to the house they are talking about.”

Chanthunya said some of the houses which government showed the office of the former president were rejected for security reasons.

“Among the houses which we were shown, others had neighbours who had upstairs houses which means they would stand on their verandas and see whatever activities were happening in the former president’s home.”

On not being truthful about returning home, Banda said “Malawians can go and check with Bon Voyage travel agency in Malawi who booked her ticket to confirm that she was returning  leaving DC on the 30th October. “

The former president’s spokesman said her return was delayed because a week before her departure, her office was informed of the withdrawal of the house.

Mhango confirmed the house was withdrawn as the owners advised that it was committed to other tenants.

On the security detail, Chanthunya said the police officers have been “grossly incapacitated” as they were disarmed and they only have one gun which they use, something which still provides gaps and she has not been provided with vehicles which are also a part of security as they necessitate her travelling.

The guns were withdrawn by Police deputy inspector general Duncan Mwapasa and that Banda personally phoned him to confirm about this decision. She said the Chief Secretary for government George Mkondiwa also confirmed the decision to disarm her guards when she phoned him.

“Malawians should remember that when the DPP govt. last weakened her security in 2010, on the 19th November, 2010, she was involved in a mysterious road accident. Let government refute this incident,” he said.

Banda has also trashed speculations that she risks facing charges against her, saying she is “innocent” but  accused government for being “desperate” to drum up charges against her from attempted murder of President Peter Mutharika at Lumbazi police station,  treason for allegedly killing President Bingu wa Mutharika (this case is in court and government has asked for an out of court settlement), corruption (claiming they have a CCTV footage to prove it) when in actual fact there was no CCTV facility in state houses in two years of her presidency.

Her office said they have “evidence” of suspects being persuaded to implicate Banda in exchange for shorter sentences.

“JB is not worried about these false claims as she has letters and documents to prove these malicious initiatives by the authorities.  Some of the people they were approaching have been talking,” said a statement from her office.

It adds: “The government needs to display evidence of any wrong doing on her part.  In the same vein, JB wants to see the speeding up of the forensic audit because the link will stop these insults.  Malawi will find out that the K577 billion is the genesis of the K20 billion Cashgate with some of the perpetrators being the same people.   All these matters will be proven by the court. “]

Banda prides herself the one who started the cashgate crackdown, arrested the suspects, initiated the trials and conducted the forensic audit with the help of the British government.

“There were no mysterious deaths of innocent ACB officials and there were no breakings into diplomats’ houses to steal corruption files.  It is therefore a waste of time to use false useless claims to intimidate her,” reads the statement.

The former president has been out of Malawi since July 2014.

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Jobe
Jobe
8 years ago

Malawi is at its worst now than the times of Joyce Banda. This is Peter’s time. The problem with the DPP Government is that it is spending a lot of energy and time in attacking Joyce Banda. Look ahead and concentrate on your work otherwise time is running, no work being done.

Furious
Furious
8 years ago

Koma amai awa inu, akudzitenga abwino? Nanga bwanji simukubwera kwanu kuno yet ndinu abwino? Bwerani amai mudzayankhepo pa tindalama tathu ta tasoda kamba ndi timasiwiti tija.

felix muloleni
felix muloleni
8 years ago

Mbava yachizimayi a coward. If you’re clean come back home and have your day in court to prove your innocence. Munthu osakonda dziko lako.you can run away but you can’t hide your day will come

Kk
Kk
8 years ago

Banda should not make the reseners blind and fools all what she is a bad woman so far in the world she arest the current presindent from unknown charges now things has changed she must face the consequeses she is involved in cashgate let her built her own house with the money she store

Stinking Idiot
Stinking Idiot
8 years ago

You’re a funny person, former president with no vehicles, no house, no monthly retirement dues 18months after leaving office, security provided by men carrying button sticks. History: 19th Nov, 2013 was involved in a car accident that was never investigated. Expectations; The nation expected cashgaters to link her and to be jointly charged. None did. She was said to have a hand in the death of the former president. Mmmmm would you be comfy my man to come and live amongst the very same admin? KkkkkkKkkkkk

thinktankmalawi
thinktankmalawi
8 years ago

She is working on assylum…she aint coming home..cashgate evidence so overwhelming against her…the more she claims victimization…the better her chances of asylum in usa…she is calculated crooked woman..she is running away from prosecution not persecution..wake up people!especially those still kissing her…..

kapenandiye
kapenandiye
8 years ago

The issue here is not about insecurity and retirement home. Hear u donors who listen to her foolishness. She is running away from cashgate. Sources are that when she comes back the ACB will start pursuing her day in dAy out on cashgate matters. The best security is provided by urself. Look at Bakili he built his own house even Kamuzu and Bingu did the same. As far as i know the house she is claiming from government will never be secure than her own. Think of this, what will happen when u pass on to the glory leaving ur… Read more »

Plate
Plate
8 years ago

We are tired of you

Patriotic Citizen
Patriotic Citizen
8 years ago

With you or without you Amayi, Malawi remained a troubled land. DPP led politicians have run out of ideas. A country without food for its citizens- not food in villages, No electricity to run industries, No water in towns and cities, No one is interested to pursue the MK577 Billion cashgate under Late Bingu, the economy in nose diving everyday. You better coming back in 2019. It is not the same country you left. Malawi is dead.

elias odala
elias odala
8 years ago

kungapande tambala koma kuzacha

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