MP demands audit of State House, budget cut for MBC to 1 Kwacha

Main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP)  legislator for Lilongwe Malingunde Peter Dimba has asked for an immediate audit of State House, the official residence of President Peter Mutharika.

He has also asked the immediate reduction of state controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation [MBC] budget to K1.

Speaking in parliament Wednesday when he contributed to the mid-year budget, Dimba noted that the State House had not been audited since Kamuzu vacated the Sanjika Palace in 1994.

Kamuzu, who ruled Malawi with an iron fist since independence in 1964, was ousted from power by Bakili Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF) at the ballot box in 1994.

Dimba said it was uncalled for that Finance minister Goodall Gondwe was asking for an increase in. State House while asking for budget cuts at the graft busting body, the Anti Corruption Bureau.

State House recurrent budget is projected to increase by K150 million ($198 939), but at the expense of a K435 million ($576 923) cut in its locally funded development budget.

Gondwe said the State House is usually audited.

Dimba also asked for the reduction of MBC allocation saying the public broadcaster was demonising opposition leaders in the 193 strong member House.

He accused the government of parading chiefs on MBC tv and radio to demonise the opposition political party leadership of the country.

Dimba also faulted the government for reducing the budget for relief maize from K15 billion to K8 billion which he said was unfortunate.

Most of the chiefs who demonised the opposition are those that demonised President Mutharika in the run up to the general election during the reign of Joyce Banda. Banda came a distant third in the elections won by Mutharika an indication chiefs do not influence people’s opinion in Malawi.

Gondwe h announced budget cuts which, among others, will see a freeze in the hiring of teachers and nurses in the next six months.