Malawi govt dismiss JB fears as unfounded: Jappie says ‘let her come home’
Malawi government has swiftly responded to claims by former president Joyce Banda that her much anticipated return to Malawi has been delayed due to serious security concerns as she was not provided with an official house and security detail, among other things.
Banda was scheduled to arrive in Malawi on Tuesday 2nd November, 2015 through Chileka Airport in Blantyre around mid-day on a South African Airways flight number SA3172.
Banda’s spokesperson, Andekunye Chanthunya said the former Head of State would delay her return as government was failing to provide a secure and decent house in a secure locality.
Chanthunya accused government for withdrawing a house that Banda had indentified in August this year.
“The house was indeed identified. However, one week ago, the Malawi Government advised Her Excellency’s office that the house is no longer available,” Chanthunya said in a statement released Thursday morning.
But government spokesperson and Minister of Information, Jappie Mhango has dismissed Chanthunya’s claims, saying Banda’s relatives were the ones that rejected the house government had allocated to the former President.
“As am speaking now government officers are in the process of identifying another house for her. It was her relatives who rejected the first house that was indentified and the other one they opted was already occupied,” explained Mhango.
Mhango then blushed off claims that government was failing to provide Banda with her retirement benefits as stipulated in the Malawi Constitution, urging her to return home and start enjoying her
entitlements.
“How can we provide security to someone who is not in Malawi? I think we already explained as to why government decided to withdraw her security detail. She should come home and government will provide her the needed security detail,” explained Mhango.
On the issue of salary which Banda has not been paid for 17 months, Mhango said there were some formalities that require Banda to fulfil personally before she starts accessing her pay.
“For one to start getting salary they need to be included on the government payroll and that requires one to fill in forms which cannot be filled by anybody else. She has been the Head of State and she knows that; why is she always outside of Malawi and expect somebody
else to complete the required formalities that need her physical presence?” wondered Mhango.
Chanthunya argued that without the security detail, Banda’s life was in danger considering the lapse of the country’s security, adding she was once about to be assassinated in a road accident in 2010 while she was the country’s vice-president when her security detail was drastically reduced.
He 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”.
But Mhango was quick to assure Banda that she will be accorded enough security just like any other former Head of State.
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Better to be a common citizen leaving freely . I seems you opted to leave this type of style (fear) otherwise you wouldn’t have joined politics.
You harvest what you sow. Shame on you
Feeling insecure after stealing so much from Malawians?The kasambaras and others waiting for you.Come and clear your name in the courts.No any sane Malawian is pitying you,apart from over zealous followers who follow politicians blindly without being critical and analytical.We are tired of selective justice for corrupt politicians.
This woman Joyce Banda is just looking for sympathy from Malawians.She is cooking up alot of stories in some foreign land to save her ass.Come back home and clear your name about the involvement of these cashgate issues with your thieving friends like Lutepo and the Phwiyos,whom you spoke highly during your short accidental term.We want all thieves to be thrown into the dungeon who have held Malawi back for their insatiable greed.Ndikale lija Munayamba Kutokotera kunja.Dont think Malawians are pitying you just because you happen to be thieving woman.We want justice to take its course.
A MALAWI lekani childish comments on this issue. JB saline mdziko mumo. Kunjako akulipila ndonkho kumayiko wo pa service yiliyonse kumeneko. MALAWI ikupindulapo chani?
.no food for a lazy person
Suporter of DPPare all mad
is this true? Do you mean JB was not on government payroll already or you want to re employ JB why filling the forms twice?
Gentlemen! some of you are commenting blindly. Which forms cannot be sent to Joyce for her to sign and send back home? DHLi is there, they can carry and deliver a parcel which the recipient shall pay ngati ndikuphsya kwa boma lilibe ndalama zotumizira parcel by DHL. You are still sleeping you guys. Zanu izo
joyce Banda is very crazy, she is an idiot..She thinks if people wanted to kill her we would wait for herwait for her to come home? No way,we would probably go where ever she is to do the job, how hard can that be? please woman, bwelaniko ndi amuna anu onga ngati nkhuniwo… he has no say in the family, he just sits and watches his wife make mistakes and disgrace herself and her family, amunawoso amangokhala ngati sadali a judge bwanji.
jOISI BANDA BWELANIKO, OKUPHANIFE MUTICHEDWESA… FODYA ETI UTHAWA MPAKA LITI..SECURITY SECURITY NDEKUTI CHANI\\\\\
MUkufuna muphe JB nso kodi?
Based on prima facie evidence, Mr Jappie Mhango is more believable in his explanations than Joisi Banda’s side. The government’s reasons are just more credible.