Malawi anti-graft bureau say ‘no evidence’ of Joyce Banda Cashgate involvement

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director Reyneck Matemba has said the graft-busting bureau has no objective evidence on Malawi’s former president Joyce Banda linking her to Cashgate, the plunder of public resources at Capital Hill, exposed under her watch in 2013.

Joyce Banda: No evidence of any wrongdoing

While president, Banda ordered an independent audit of the corruption revelations, which was conducted by British firm RSM (formerly Baker Tilly). The findings were released in 2014.

Matemba told journalists in Blantyre on Thursday that the British firm never linked Banda to any corruption.

He said even their investigations has no concrete evidence on Banda, saying all the bureau has were testimonies that were recorded from Cashgate convicts – Oswald Lutepo, Leonard Kalonga and the late Treaser Senzani.

But there’s no substance to the statements.

Asked to explain what Police said that authorities had obtained an arrest warrant for Banda, the ACB Czar said Fiscal Department of Malawi Police have been doing their own investigation on financial crimes.

“They are also doing their investigations,” he said.

Last year James Kadadzera, a police public relations officer, said authorities had obtained an arrest warrant for Banda.

“The evidence gathered raises reasonable suspicion that the former president committed offences relating to abuse of office and money laundering,” he said in a statement.

But Banda has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Through her spokesperson Andekuche Chanthunya, Banda said yesterday the issue has been repeatedly spoken about and that she has made it clear that she played no role; hence, cannot say much.

He said: “We have always maintained that Dr Joyce Banda knows nothing about Cashgate and she doesn’t really have anything to say about it.”

Banda, who was Malawi’s president for two years from 2012, said that prior to Cashgate, the K577 billion theft happened between 2009 and 2012 when former president the late Bingu Wa Mutharika was in charge, alleging that there must be a stubborn link between the K577 billion scam and Cashgate.

She left the country when she lost in an election to Peter Mutharika and  has not returned since 2014.

Banda has been living in the United States, serving as a distinguished fellow at Woodrow Wilson Center and the Center for Global Development in Washington, DC.

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GAMALIELE
GAMALIELE
6 years ago

A NDALE AMADZIWANA KUSELI, AMATIPHIMBA MMASO. NO PERMANENT ENEMY IN POLITICS. NAYENSO MUTHALIKA AKUKONZA TSOGOLO LAKE KUTI ASADZAMANGIDWE AKADZATULUKA M’BOMA. ANTHUWA NDI AMODZI

Chimwemwe D K
Chimwemwe D K
6 years ago

Despite everything and besides all points, I will always say Thank You. God bless you.

Shithole Africa
6 years ago

I want to agree with Nox Nthambi, but what we differ is on the fact that ACB is preparing us for the same with Chaponda’s case. They know pursing this matter would mean DPP is going for the opposition and now hat this is the verdict, when they cleared Chaponda people should be able to say, there was no favour. Let’s cast our eyes beyond the shores of Lake Malawi, we are being ruled by mafias in this country. Next will be the case of Muluzi as long as Atupele uses UDF as collateral for the freedom of his father.

muonosile
muonosile
6 years ago

Munthu ananena yekha kuti tiyeni titakate and you say she is not involved, no wonder leaders will come plunder public money and go.That is Malawi and its politics, soon they will join to campaign for 2019 elections. Ant corruption bureau shall you ever be independent without being influenced by politicians?

Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
6 years ago

All reasonable steps of inquiry in the investigations were taken to sift any linkages of involvement in the cashgate. Surprisingly, the former president was courageous enough to issue an order to investigate all those involved in the cashgate. May be she knew she never participated in the scam that unfolded at full throttle during her tenure in office. Could findings from Kadadzera’s colleagues, who are alleged to be in possession of warrant of arrest of the former president, change this scenario?.

Nox Nthambi
Nox Nthambi
6 years ago

Is this true Mr. Matemba? This can be a ploy by DPP to lure JB to return home and be arrested. How come all of a sudden there is no evidence linking JB to cash gate yet DPP gurus including the president has said openly that JB was involved in cash gate and was the master minder. Thinking aloud……. This is Malawi where you can’t even trust your matrimonial spouse in politics. JB this is food for thought……………..

Peloma Pepe
Peloma Pepe
6 years ago
Reply to  Nox Nthambi

My thoughts exactly! JB should be very careful by not taking this at face value.

China
China
6 years ago

Kunamiza anthu now that there will be a coalition between Dpp and PP. This woman will not be persecuted. Deal done. Politics is a dirty game indeed

Achimidzimidzi
Achimidzimidzi
6 years ago

Ooo! No! Apa ndiye mutipha ndi ma BP. I can foresee another compensation in trillions now.

Surely there is a credible warrant of arrest. ACB chonde mutsaukitsa a Malawi

Alice
6 years ago
Reply to  Achimidzimidzi

God bless ACB for being impartial on this matter. Politics aside, thank you for being truthful. Malawi cannot continue to persecute people for no reason at all. Let’s move on and develop our nation. She derseves to be freed. She was the answer to Malawi problems. The poor were her priority. Politics will never develop Malawian. Journalists please do not allow damaging comments on your forums. You are doing Malawi no good. If you stop publishing zonyozana zititengera ubwino a Malawi. Being a watchdog is not about writing negativity all the time

Panganani
6 years ago
Reply to  Alice

Alice-I salute your wisdom

Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
6 years ago
Reply to  Achimidzimidzi

The issue of compensation does not arise for, the former president was just being investigated and not being prosecuted by the anti – corruption directorate. Besides that, no one in the anti – corruption directorate released defamatory imputations against her or arresting her on false charges which would trigger her to file compensation claims for malicious prosecution..

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