Joyce Banda’s return to Malawi delayed: ‘Serious security concerns’
Former president Joyce Banda’s much-anticipated return to Malawi will be delayed, her office has said.
According to Banda’s spokesman, Andekunye Chanthunya, the delay has been caused by “serious security concerns “ following Malawi Government’s delay in providing a secure and decent house in a secure locality for the former Head of State and her family.
“In August 2015, the Ministry of Lands and Housing invited officials from her office to Lilongwe to identify a suitable house for the former President. The exercise was jointly carried out by the Ministry’s officials, officials of her office and His Excellency Chief Justice Richard Banda, RTD, the spouse of the former President. The house was indeed identified. However, one week ago, the Malawi Governmenta dvised Her Excellency’s office that the house is no longer available,” Chanthunya said in a statement released Thursday morning.
Chanthunya said the Malawi Constitution provides for retirement benefits for the former Head of State and former Vice President.
“These includes salary, a house in a safe and secure place, and personal security detail. None of these have been accorded to Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda since she left office in May 2014,” he said.
He said the former president request the government to respect and uphold the rule of law and provide Banda with her salary for 17 months, transport, adequate personal security and a secure home.
“Many Malawians, in general, and Her Excellency’s family in particular are even more concerned that recently, the Malawi Government withdrew security apparatus from her private residence in June 2015.
“This happened while there is total breakdown of security in Malawi where senior officers of governance institutions, such as Mr. Issa Njaunju of ACB, are murdered and police officers are killed in broad daylight.,” reads the statement in part.
It adds: “Malawians and the international community may recall that when she was State Vice President, Her Excellency’s security detail was drastically reduced and weakened in October 2010. On November 19, 2010, one month later, her official vehicle, a Mercedes Benz salon, registration number MG 2, was involved in a mysterious road accident at Kanengo in Lilongwe. This accident is well documented in Malawi.”
Chanthunya said the decision to weaken Banda’s security detail this time round and attempts by the DPP administration to victimize her in various forms are reminiscent of the 2010 events.
“History may be repeating itself here!”
Banda was scheduled to arrive in Malawi on Tuesday, November 2, 2015 through Chileka Airport in Blantyre around mid-day on a South African Airways flight number SA3172.
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Kkkk
ngakhare utakhara okuba but still more security yako imafunika more overmayiwa is just a suspect it is nt comfilmed kut anabadi moneyo tiuzen zoona umbon wanu uli kut? amalawi lets thnk like human beangs mukanakhara inu mukanata?
Kkkkkkkkkkkkkk amai koma takusowan kkk moni kumeneko mwanva
We surely dont miss Joyce Banda in malawi. Let her stay where she is, we are okay, even better without her in the country.
All this about houses and security is total bullshit.What type of a house is she looking for?Why do Malawians presidents thinks are very special leaving in poor country.For your information Mwalimu Julius Kambalage Nyerere retired in a very modest house after serving Tanzania.Ayatollah Khoemini the prime minister of Iran used to live in a two bed roomed house in the oil rich Iran. Tseretse Khama of Botswana retired to his farming house after his tenure.Nkhani ya nyumba iyi yatitopetsa kwabasi.How many houses does she have in Malawi after shamefully stealing from Malawi with her sons?If she doesn’t want to come… Read more »
Dzikoli tikusowa anthu am’dalitso wausogoleri ngati mai-wa koma tisadandaule popeza misozi ya a Mbendera yatsala pang’ono kupukutidwa patsikuli ngakhale alomwe adzabvina nawonso akusowa mtendere chifukwa cha murupali wawoyu
Kodi azatani kuno akhale konko
malawi government should be closely concerned with the issue of her excellency’s retirement and security.
Akudikira kuti afe kaye akudwala mtimayu, sinanga ndi amene ali ndi makiyi a mlandu wawo mayiwa.
people are dying everyday. Seriously what is special about JB or APM dealth?