Mutharika’s Trust stick to guns:  No refund to NAC

Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) of First Lady Getrude Mutharika has said they are not going to refund K5 million irregularly taken out of National Aids Commission (NAC) despite “well-wishers” rasing the case for refund following public pressure.

Beam  vice Chairperson, Dr Collins Magalasi on told Nyasa Times on Tuesday that  position remains the same that the organisation never received any money from NAC in form of a grant and would not pay back.

Earlier, Beam “well-wishers” led by Barnet Chinsinga said they raised K5 million cash to pay back to NAC to prevent mass protests being organised by the civil society on January 14, 2015.

But Magalasi said he was even surprised to receive a telephone call inviting Mutharika’s Trust to attend a function at Pacific Hotel where the cash was being shown to reporters.

“I was very surprised because even the First Lady do not know the well wishers. Even me I have never met even one before. I learnt from Nyasa Times about this person called Chinsinga,” said Magalasi.

Magalasi said those well wishers did not follow the normal procedure, saying they were supposed to write Beamofficially and then hear from what they would have said.

Earlier in the day NAC board chair  Mara Kumbweza Banda faulted the way the whole issue has been handled.

Kumbweza said NAC did not receive any formal prior communication on the matter to seek their position if the money can be refunded or not.

“You are saying where is the  ceremony taking place and who are presiding over the ceremony? I understand the NAC office is closed for festivities till January 5 next year, ” said Kumbweza.

Beam Trust and Mulhako wa Alhomwe got some money from NAC to fund activities that have nothing to do with the fight against HIV and Aids. The National Investigations Bureau (NIB) also asked NAC for the funding but was not given.