Mablem back Mulli on K8bn claim: Malawi CSOs clash on governance role

Member of the Malawi Civil Society Led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (Mablem) Taskforce have backed business magnate Leston Mulli for going to court on his claim of K8 billion interests from government, saying he has a right to seek justice.

Mulli: Mablem says he has right to seek justice in court

Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have been questioning Mulli’s claim following the July 20 2011 protests which damaged Mulli’s companies—Sunrise Pharmaceuticals and Chombe Foods.

Following events of July 20, 2011, the two companies sued government for damages due to the destruction of their property during the demonstrations and were awarded damages amounting to K3.1 billion.

However, Mulli is now allegedly seeking to be paid an additional K8 billion in interests on the initial amount already paid.

But in a statement dated August 27 2018 signed by chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba and coordinator Fryson Chonzi, Mablem query the wisdom in questioning a person’s right to the courts

Argues Mablem in part: “While CSOs are at liberty to take any matter to the courts its mind baffling that the same CSOs would want ACB [Anti Corruption Bureau] to investigate an individual who would want the same courts to help when aggrieved. The case in point is about Mulli Brothers claim for interest on funds held by the State. Mulli compensation claims would not have been paid in the first place had the state responded favourably when the court ordered so.”

In its statement, Mablem says as a business person but also a Malawian, Mulli Brothers limited and its owners have the right to access justice when they feel the actions by the state injured them in one-way or the other.

“It is our considered opinion that any person in Malawi has a right to seek justice and relief from the court when feeling aggrieved. This does not matter whether the demands are ridiculous in the CSOs analysis. It is up to the courts to make determination of the same.

“What is sad is that the CSOs would want to assume that by Mulli Brothers asking relief from the court, and then they are being corrupt. Again this is despite the fact that the matter is before our courts which puts the Judge at an awkward position in all fairness as his decision may be affected by the ‘assertions that the claim is frivolous!’  Yet he has to be seen to have done justice in all fairness,” reads the statement.

Mablem says if any individual feels that any claim, such as Mulli is not in the best interest of Malawi, the constitutions guarantees the citizens be it individual or corporate to join cases as friends of the court when they feel the process may not be fair “as opposed to making sarcastic demands and starting portraying the courts as being compromised.”

The group cited an example of the George Chaponda corruption case, where most people cried foul on the outcome when he was cleared in Maizegate scandal, yet no one has shown interest to join ACB appeal case.

“We are further baffled by the attitude of some NGOs and Individuals who continue to portray the courts as being compromised anytime they make a ruling and decision that does not favour their position,” said Mablem in the statement.

Mkwezalamba and Chonzi also head the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and Forum for National Development (FND), respectively.

The two accuses CSOs under the banner of  the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC)  that they have adopted an attitude that every person and including the courts must agree with their reasoning and anything to the contrary sounds compromised or underscores corruption.

“Failure to respect the Court decisions on Chaponda case, the Lake Malawi Water Project Case ruling, Mulli Brother’s K3.1Billion compensation as well as the determination by the High court on the fact that Some applicants and NGO’s do not have a mandate to bring to court a matter of Criminal in nature on behalf of Malawians. These are some of the examples where CSOs impunity in failing to respect courts just because the ruling did not favour their thinking.

“However, its mind baffling that when the same courts rules in favour of the CSOs wishes like the case of the DPP Blue Night, they are upheld not to be compromised. We fear this is a wrong precedence being set,” reads the statement.

Mablem also says it has noted what it terms the HRDCs unnecessary mistrust towards the ACB and undue influence on the anti-graft body’s work.

Mkwezalamba and Chonzi issued a statement a day after another group calling itself concerned civil society organisations led by Prophet Amos Tchuma accused the HRDC of having lost direction, arguing the planned anti-government protests on September 7 will not address the challenges Malawians are facing.

Meanwhile, HRDC has accused Mablem members and the Prophet Tchuma led CSOs of being government agents and paid to derail good governance.

“These people are lost. Any institution must be held accountable, be it the courts, ACB, government or the Malawi Human Rights Commission,” HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo.

But Mkwezalamba denied being bankrolled by government, saying they were just checking their fellow CSOs conduct on governance role in the country.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
16 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Gulukunyinda
Gulukunyinda
5 years ago

and some sane people think these guys should voted for again.

Gembe
Gembe
5 years ago

Chonzi ndi Mkwezalamba plus kampaundi pliz slowdown ndi dziko ili…….

Central
Central
5 years ago

Mkwezalamba and team have lost both wisdom and direction!!

MABLEM’s action in itself is 100% evidence they are bootlickers!! What is their interest? Does MABLEM care about rights of Malawians? What has MABLEM so far done on the repayment of K4.5b Mulli got from MSB!! I repeat, does MABLEM care about the fate of Malawians? Which case came first between the two cases [MSB loans and the latter]? Why have members of MABLEM kept their mouths closed on the MSB toxic loans!!

A Mkwezalamba, mungakane inu titanena kuti apa zayenda za m’manja ndipo inu kukhosi kuli mbeeeeeeeeeeeee?? Mwati inunso mulemeletuuuuuuuuuuuuu…………………Mxiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

James
James
5 years ago

Mkwezalamba and Chozi have been bribed, this my second time to say this. Don’t they know that Malawians lost Malawi Savings Bank because of Mulli? Bwana Mulli don’t think you are clever time will come when you will know the true colors of Malawians. Which interests are you talking about if your companies were failing to pay loans to Malawi savings Bank?.

mwenecho
mwenecho
5 years ago

Mulli should claim comensation from insurance companies and not from government.

Central
Central
5 years ago
Reply to  mwenecho

Zoona zake m’bale wanga………..!! However, because of loss of wisdom, and greediness Mkwezalamba and team could think that way!! satana akalowa anthu amaganiza modzikondaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa and forget the bigger picture!!

Chibwato K
Chibwato K
5 years ago

DPP led government, what’s really special with Mulli? Is it only mulli who lost properties on 20th July? What about PTC,Farmers World,Kulima Gold just to mention a few who also lost a lot of goods? What about those who lost their dear lives,leaving their families on a bare sun?

Let God help you guys. Anthuwa musamawatengere ku phazi plzz

Adada
Adada
5 years ago

The Company has the right to claim interests …komanso boma can claim interest on Loans not recovered ku MSB same amount ithere draw kkk

Ndikunyenyaninyenani Pumbwa Party

Malawi is full of fools and crooks. This government is a government of crooks.

Muswahili Mambo Sana
5 years ago

When is this idiot going to pay the MSB loan which is in billions kwachas instead of claiming more taxpayers money ? It’s very unfortunate that even Jeff Wa Jeff is already in a process of receiving closer to MWK80billion after she lost the case some 10 years a go.

The Late Steven Majiaheni Gondwe failed to be compaseted his money when the government lost the case , this time DPP is using ZABOOKA to all its members who are claiming false compasetion from the government as long as they belong to DPP which is living on cash gate money.

Pita Wa Kuba
Pita Wa Kuba
5 years ago

nde mitsonkho ya anthu osauka mwati a Mulli apatsidwe MK8,000,000.000? KOMA DZIKOLI,,, nanga anthu amene anafa aja bwanji

zeleza
zeleza
5 years ago
Reply to  Pita Wa Kuba

ndipo inu..

Read previous post:
Wanderers injury boost as Malata, Chande and Wadabwa in contention to face Bullets

Be Foward Wanderers have been boosted by the news that central defender Lucky Malata, midfield maestro Jaffali Chande and striker Peter...

Close