Kapito says many corrupt barons in Mutharika govt

Outspoken Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) executive director John Kapito has said President Peter Mutharika’s government is harbouring many corrupt people who are being shielded from facing the long arm of the law.

Kapito is quoted in the local press commenting of President Peter Mutharika’s State-of-the-Nation Address (Sona), saying the Head of State should walk the talk in tackling corruption.

Speaking when he delivered the SONA,  President Mutharika vowed to pursue cases pertaining to the K20 billion Cashgate scandal that occurred during the former president Joyce Banda’s rule, but he avoided mentioning the K577 billion plunder of resources as revealed by Pricewaterhouce Coopers (PwC) audit report that spans his brother, the late Bingu wa Mutharika’s tenure up to 2014.

Mutharika also avoided any mention of the K300 million plunder of funds at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, using Ethiopian Embassy as a conduit.

Kapito said he was “not happy” with Mutharika talk on corruption fight, saying: “The President talked about corruption and how his government is fighting corruption and yet we are all affected by corruption. We know the framework the fight against corruption in this country is wrong. We have not benefited anything from the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

“When they want to do something they are only doing it against the enemies of government and yet we know there are many people who are corrupt in this government.

“Mind you the issues of corruption are about perceptions; there are a lot of perceptions that there a lot people in government who are stealing money. Maybe the President needs to be assisted. But he needs to know that we are not happy with the message of corruption he delivered,” said Kapito as quoted in the Weekend Nation newspaper.

In his speech, Mutharika touted the imminent review of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, although commentators, including members of the diplomatic corps and opposition parties, agree that the independence of the ACB is key to ensuring a meaningful fight against corruption.

Envoys from western countries call for a crusade against corruption.

British High Commissioner Michael Nevin commended Mutharika  for his “emphasis and commitment” to fund the investigating and prosecuting agencies, including the tabling of the Money Laundering Bill .