Mutharika allowed plunder of public money: Malawi ex-president must be held to account

Those that lived under the shed of Ngwazi Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s dictatorship won’t hide to you that he was an evil tyrant.

Mutharika: Must be held to account

However, when Malawians forced him out, through that historical 1994 vote, there emerged a strange narrative aimed at creating an angel in Kamuzu.

We started being told that Kamuzu was not a bad person—rather, it was people around him that were bad.

How rubbish!

Kamuzu was the tyrant of Malawi. He was responsible for everything Malawians suffered during his age.

He may, of course, not have been the one on the ground torturing and killing people; however, he created a conducive policy which his people exploited and took advantage of.

I brought the Kamuzu analogy because I have noted some striking similarities in the way Malawians are handling the issue of plunder of public resources under former president Peter Mutharika’s watch.

An apology appear to be emerging, one where some want to fool Malawians to believe that Mutharika was not involved in the plunder of public money during his reign.

The classical case in point is the way the issue of cement is being handled.

What we know is that large chunks of cement were imported from Zambia using Mutharika’s free duty status. What we didn’t know is who made the order of such a purchase.

In connection to that, police made three arrests: bodyguard Norman Chisale, businessperson Chunara and Malawi Revenue Authority former deputy director  Roza Mbilidzi.

These arrests, however, only helped the public to get to understand the rot that underpinned the cement deal. They did not, unfortunately, answer the question regarding who made the order.

We started to get closer to the answer when, Mutharika himself, came to the frontline with a a statement denying to have given anybody an order to purchase the statement.

Now look here, fellow Malawians—we are not stupid.

When the cement story appeared in the newspaper, the President, through his spokesperson then Mgeme Kalilani, responded by saying he used his duty free status. Now that push has come to the shovel, Mutharika is saying he was not involved?

Listen, fellow Malawians.

The issue of cement is just a tip on the iceberg of massive plunder of public resources—amounting to K1.3 trillion, under Mutharika’s watch.

It is a systematic plunder that, if you follow the pattern, it has every root from the Mutharika-led State House.

This apologetic narrative of removing Mutharika out and crucifying his lieutenants only is not only gibberish but also self-deluding.

It is self-deluding because we want to create an impression as if Mutharika was not in control. Well, don’t be fooled; he was directly or indirectly.

Just like Kamuzu, Mutharika may not be the one signing for fuel at Escom; but he created a corrupt policy environment which his lieutenants exploited and abused to their advantage.

So in our #PayBackOurMoney debates, let us not remove Mutharika in the equation. He is the architect and he must be held to account before he dies.

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nyarugwe
nyarugwe
3 years ago

Reserve bank of Malawi, please clear the fog-who paid for this cement? Was it Chuunara, Chisale or Mutharika?

True Witness
True Witness
3 years ago

i AGREE TOTALLY 100%

Munthu Wankulu
Munthu Wankulu
3 years ago

Just arrest the Guy, simple!

H E Nyaphapi One
3 years ago

Mutharika is synonymous to idiot. It will be worthless to castrate him now.

sikelo
sikelo
3 years ago

Excuse me, but it is very boring when people keep mentioning the Ngwazi when they talk about evil DPP. Please keep away from castigating Ngwazi. He was the best leader Malawi has ever have. Leave him a lone and let his soul rest in peace. Right now we just need to pray that Chakwera and Chilima keep up in taking us to the dream land.

Malawi belong to the citizens

I believe that Peter Munthalika is the master minder of thefty in Malawi no doubt about that,sitingakhulupirire DPP, whatever comes from DPP is bad news.Munthalika new avery move behind the scenes.Chimbava plus bodza,tinadalakwanji amalawi kumatibera choncho, amangidwe ndithu.No mercy.Aka K145 million.Bring on police food ration case and investigate it thoroughly.Amangidwe Peter Munthalika akapezeka wolakwa.No mercy

Malawi walero
Malawi walero
3 years ago

Stories stories haaa probation period 5 month haaa clear the rubble. Until when?. Waistage of time again. Chilikwa nzako nkumati chigwire mnyanga. 2025 will reach while you will be in probation. Kayaaaa

God Knows
God Knows
3 years ago
Reply to  Malawi walero

Pathetic….!!!!

President Chisokonezo
President Chisokonezo
3 years ago

If mk1.3 trillion is from Audit report then it is wrong. Please, ask a chartered accountant to help interpret it.

Kwasakwasa
3 years ago

Dare to put him under house arrest you idiot and see what will happen. You are taking Lomwe people for granted. Remember we are bordering with Mozambique and you will see. Pakamwa ngati chimbudzi.Mutu ngati ng’oma ya gule wankulu

Lego
3 years ago
Reply to  Kwasakwasa

So what can you do with your filthy mouth?

Gaba
Gaba
3 years ago
Reply to  Kwasakwasa

What are we going to see man.kkkkkkk government is bigger than Mutharika

Goliati
Goliati
3 years ago
Reply to  Kwasakwasa

But it’s not lomwe’ s who were stealing, its a pm. You are just creating a storm from a cup of tea here. Anaba anjatidwe kaya ndi mtumbuka, mchewa, Yao etc

Malawi belong to the citizens
Reply to  Kwasakwasa

Kwasakwasa you are stupid,wosangosamukira kumozambiqueko,mmesa ndikwanu kale,anthu akuba Kut muzisaukabe.Munthalika should be arrested akapezeka wolakwira malamulo adziko lathu period.

monosile
monosile
3 years ago
Reply to  Kwasakwasa

Kwasakwasa, sorry nthawi ya uchitsiru wanuwo inatha, musaopsyeze anthu ayi.

God Knows
God Knows
3 years ago
Reply to  Kwasakwasa

Kwasakwasa, you’re pathetic. Yuo think Mozambique can welcome thieves…!!! Kudzikwata ndi chala. Ok go there and see. We will hunt you down, right there in Mozambique until you pay back our money. Stupid thieves.

James Banda
James Banda
3 years ago
Reply to  Kwasakwasa

A snail has a better brain. So you want to tell us your tribe is so happy with the plunder that happened in Malawi?

Ken Phiri
Ken Phiri
3 years ago

I agree totally. APM must be held to account. And all those others that have stollen our tax money – all of them must be held to account and pay back our money. There are two sets of figures coming up K9.8 tn and K1.3 tn. Whatever the correct amount; the perpetrators if found guilty must go to jail. More important the money should be paid back. Their property should also be confiscated and auctioned off. Proceeds should go to Account Number One. And let’s not forget the previous “gates”: K1.7 bn; the jet gate; cash gate; maize gate; the… Read more »

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