Kamlepo defends Lipenga against ‘political vandetta’
In a rare but surprise move president of file party MDP, Kamlepo Kalua has come out in defence of Malawi’s finance minister Ken Lipenga, describing those calling for his resignation as people full of ” jealousy” and political vendetta.
Following a confession by the finance minister a week ago that the county’s revenue collecting body Malawi Revenue Authority cooked up figures to paint a rosy picture that the zero deficit budget is working, pressure has been piling up for the minister to honourably resign.
MRA clandestinely borrowed up to 30 billion kwacha from commercial banks to finance the budget.
Lipenga, however, has distanced himself from the “mess” claiming he was equally in the dark and that the illegal loans were done behind his back.
Commentators however say it is not only unethical but illegal for those in authority to be peddling lies to parliament and the nation hence the need for the Lipenga and MRA boss Lloyd Muhara to relinquish their positions.
But MDP president Kamlepo Kalua says the confession by Lipenga is proof that the finance minister is practising politics of “national repentance.”
Kalua therefore says calls for his resignation are “misplaced” and “full of vengeance” by those who don’t wish Lipenga well.
” What Lipenga said is nothing but the truth, that the figures were cooked, that they lied to the nation, this is what they did ,that to me is politics of national repentance” he told capital radio
Meanwhile, Lipenga has submitted his report to the President on the MRA revenue figures cook-up scandal and challenged that he will step down if implicated in the scam.
In a brief statement Lipenga said: “With regard to the matter of the MRA, I wish to inform the nation that I have submitted my report to Her Excellency the President.”
He has also proposed for Banda’s consideration that an independent investigation be instituted into this matter.
“Should the findings of such an investigation implicate me, I shall offer my resignation,” said Lipenga.
When Balaka South Member of Parliament George Nnensa blew the whistle in Parliament in February this year that MRA had borrowed money to doctor its figures of revenue collection and that he had evidence, both Lipenga and MRA director general Lloyd Muhara disputed the claim separately.
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