Malawi opposition leader Chakwera defiant: ‘I’m not afraid of probe’

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has defied demands by some civil society organizations for Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to probe him over his under-construction multi-million mansion in Lilongwe, challenging that he is not afraid.

The organizations Civil Society Forum for Democracy and Development (CFDD) and Civil Society Platform for Constructive Dialogue (CS-PCD) on Sunday demanded that Chakwera should be investigated barely a day after he warned that he will be forced to lead a mass protest against worsening corruption in government, and accused President Peter Mutharika of giving corrupt big wigs amnesty from corruption crackdown.

“I am not afraid. Let the ACB come and they will be more welcome,” challenged Chakwera in an interview with Capital Radio.

Chakwera who is also Leader of Opposition in Parliament confirmed to be constructing a house in Lilongwe but said it was not the one the two civil society organizations claim.

He could not disclose the source of his income, arguing he is ready to explain his wealth, if need be, dating way back from his days as church leader.

Chakwera has been accused of playing double-standards and demonstrating high level of hypocrisy for not disclosing the source of his money and wealth.

“While the Leader of Opposition is expected to lead his block in providing checks and balances as well as oversight on government operations, we have sadly noted that Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has himself not demonstrated integrity and accountability in a number of areas on which we hereby call for immediate probe and investigation,” said Oliver Nakoma who is chairperson for CS-PCD.

Nakoma said there was a need for Chakwera to be investigated by ACB on the sources of money he is using to construct a K650 million 15 bedroom house in Area 6 in Lilongwe, arguing the anti-graft body did the same on Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kondwani Nankhumwa who was recently summoned by the Bureau over the donation he made in his constituency in Mulanje district in January this year.

He argued that based on information in their hands, Chakwera was abusing his party’s finances and private donations for personal projects.

Nakoma, believed to be bankrolled from State House,  further claimed Chakwera was abusing his role by personalizing party vehicles and called on Malawi revenue Authority (MRA) to investigate one of the vehicles currently being used by Chakwera’s daughter.

Meanwhile, the organizations have threatened to take it to the streets if ACB fails to probe Chakwera on the highlighted allegations.