Police to interrogate Malawi ex-President Mutharika over cement-gate

Malawi Police Service, Fiscal and Fraud Section, is interested to former president Peter Mutharika, in connection with K5 billion  (about $7 million ) cement imported duty-free under “personal use” provision in the Presidents (Salaries and Benefits) Act when he was in power but was being sold by business persons, Nyasa Times understands.

Former president Mutharika: Police seeking answers on cement import scandal.

This follows the arrest of the security aide to Mutharika , Norman Chisale in connection with the  cement import scandal.

Nyasa Times sources said Fiscal Police are interested to question Mutharika on the matter.

“Police are interested to quiz the former president on the matter as investigations continue,” said a source after Chisale has been interrogated in Lilongwe.

Chisale remains security aide of Mutharika during his retirement.

National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera said police “have been interviewing individuals that might have been involved in the transaction.”

He confirmed Chisale  in police custody “for that purpose.’’

Earlier, Malawi Revenue Authority official Roza Mbilizi, who allegedly cleared the import of 60,000 tonnes of cement, was held.

Mutharika, who was removed from power in the June 23 court-sanctioned presidential election rerun, is building a retirement home in the Lakeshore town of Mangochi, southern Malawi.

After losing the election, the former president was forced to temporarily move into a state lodge because the house is incomplete.

Newly elected President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who in his inaugural speech pledged to deal with corruption, said that before the country of 19.13 million people can begin to rebuild, it must clear the rubble of corruption.

“I will challenge the leadership of judiciary to do more to root out the culture of corruption and selective justice that has shipwrecked too many of our lowest courts,” he said.

Mutharika’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials have complained that the new administration under the leadership of  Chakwera is making arrest of senior members of the party and claimed it is political persecution aimed at killing the party.

But commentators have said there is a lot of rot that is being exposed to have been happening during the DPP regime that requires the long arm of the law to catch up with wring doers- and the  fish rots from the head down.

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Jose
Jose
3 years ago

Ku pha 60,000 tonnes for individuals. GOVT WORK UP EACH YEAR THERE SHOULD BE AN IMPORT DUTY FREE OF 60,000 TONNES FOR BUILDING STATE OF ART DISTRICT HOSPITALS IN EACH DISTRICT.THIS IS MALAWI WA TONSE.JUST REINENT THE WHEEL.THEY WERE STEELING BUT YOU SHOULD BE BUILDING HOSTPITALS FOR ALL OF US.

Melvin
Melvin
3 years ago

I can’t wait to see kuti akuchiwongola manja okhota ngati uta aja. Truth be told that a APM after working like a slave in US for 40 years, kuphunzitsa and kulemba ndi dzoko pa black board, manja anaatopa, mpakana kungokhota. He used to live a very lonely life in the US after his pension in 1979, anali kukhala mu basement, nyumba ya pansi, okhaokha and osauka. APM took advantage of Malawians entrusting him with the Presidency. Ndiyetu pooti anadzionera kuwukulu, nacho chifukwatu anasakaza chuma cha Boma, kunzunza anthu, kudziwundikira, ndiponso kudzikonda koposa miyeso. Ndipo chomvetsa chisoni kwambiri ndi chakuti, a… Read more »

Sillica Gell
Sillica Gell
3 years ago

You wont divert my attention.

mchisala
mchisala
3 years ago

All the lawlessness during shameless Mutharika’s misrule was a product of shameless Mutharika’s shameless disdain for the rule of law!!! He allowed the free-for-all looting and now all involved are paying–they are being prosecuted for breaking the law and NOT persecuted or victimized for their association with DPP chipani cha Kuba, Kupha and Sankho!!!

Kaziwotche
Kaziwotche
3 years ago

This is the strategy that your grandpa used when they took over government in 1964 ,they tried to silence everyone who was posing a threat to them .Yes they managed to succeed becoz most of their opponents died in police cells others went into exile .But you will not succeed in this plot .

Mbalanguzi
Mbalanguzi
3 years ago
Reply to  Kaziwotche

i do agree with you Kaziwotche. Asayese kuti azakhala amuyaya. Opposition seats are beckoning them too. Its not too far from here.

Max
Max
3 years ago
Reply to  Kaziwotche

Yes. that was the strategy before. Let’s hope things will be different this time.

Maunits
Maunits
3 years ago

Big fish

Chakwera
Chakwera
3 years ago
Reply to  Maunits

A,Chakwera ayamba kale kugawa ma million chonsecho salary sinalowe

Maunits
Maunits
3 years ago

Police please do the needful these people destroyed our beautiful country eeeeesh. Nkana ankakamira pampando akuluwa ananyerapo shaaaaa wautali ku Maula.

Banda
Banda
3 years ago

Red Wine

God is with Us = Emmanuel

Did Malawi have a president? This old man is a full idiot. How did he let all this lot to happen?

Chilima
Chilima
3 years ago

Kwaipa

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