No need for recrimination – Peter Mutharika
Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Prof Peter Mutharika who is brother to late president Bingu wa Mutharika says Malawi should unite in grief and move forward as a nation in a post-Mutharika era without any recrimination
Peter who was anointed by the departed leader to inherit power in 2014 stressed that the time has come for Malawians to move forward together in a show of unity and tolerance, which in turn, may benefit the country as a whole.
“Let’s mourn the President and let’s work together ,there’s no need for recrimination, we shall unite as the president wanted us, and there are so many tasks ahead, facing this country as you know and let’s all work together to make sure that we solve the problems facing this country, for the benefit of everybody,” said Peter.
Peter Mutharika is accused of plotting a constitutional coup after the death of the president in office. However, his plot was foiled when Justice Minister Ephraim Chiume and Transport Minister Sidik Mia could not give it a blessing.
Malawi Defence Force commander General Henry Odillo also vehemently opposed the coup plot.
Newspaper columnist Raphael Tenthani in his ‘Muckraking on Sunday’ in the Sunday Times that after the death of the president, Peter Mutharika “should’ve been the first one to alert the Chief Justice to do his constitutional duty and swear in the Vice President as acting President. But Peter decided to sacrifice constitutional order on the alter of selfish ambitions.”
Tenthani argues: “By so doing he has betrayed his fellow eminent jurists and himself. Those nocturnal meetings have dented his CV so irreparably that he has no moral authority to be near any constitutional office.”
Peter Mutharika’s appeal comes after Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Malawi want government to probe the value of late president Mutharika’s wealth amassed during his time in power and how he acquired it.
The call comes amid speculation that the late Mutharika accumulated too much wealth during the eight years he was president. Unverified figures being discussed in the social media put his money and property both in Malawi and outside in billions of kwacha.
Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), an umbrella body of over 90 NGOs, has said the investigation into Mutharika’s properties, business interests and money in bank accounts is crucial to clear speculation on his assets.
“There are insinuations to the effect that people would want to know how much Bingu amassed when he was in office. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and courts should investigate the authenticity of his alleged wealth.
“What we are saying is that Malawians have a right to know,” said HRCC acting coordinator Rev. MacDonald Sembereka.
Mutharika died at the time CSOs were pushing for the declaration of sources of funds he used to build his multi-million mansion at Ndata Farm in Thyolo. Mutharika’s wealth was also among issues of dialogue between government negotiating team and CSOs.
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