United Nations confirm K7.4m issue with Malawi activists, demand release of Trapence and Sembereka
United Nations (UN) has demanded the release of human rights activists, Reverend McDonald Sembereka and Gift Trapence of the Centre for the Development of People (Cedep), who were arrested on allegation of defrauding K7.4million of UNAids funds.
The two activist remanded at Mauwa Prison in Lilongwe are accused of operating an organisation, Mango Key, which is not registered with the Non-Governmental Organisation -(NGO) Board of Malawi, and that they misappropriated the UNAids money through it.
In a letter to Malawi government on Wednesday, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Lilongwe said the matter was sorted with “an amicable resolution”.
The UN confirmed about the alleged fraud but stated that the funds will be repaid to UNAIDS.
It disowned those who reported the matter to police.
“The United Nations would like to seek the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Malawi Police Service’s immediate cooperation to effectively release those individuals from Police custody.”
The two have been charged with forgery and operating an NGO ‘Mango’ without registering with NGO Board.
Human rights activist Billy Mayaya claimed Sembereka and Trapence arrest was political “persecution” aimed at silencing critics of President Peter Mutharika and his administration.
The arrest of the activists comes barely days after re-elected President Peter Mutharika accused rights defenders of organising protests over the disputed result of a May vote to turn the country into a “lawless society”.
The country has seen nearly two months of protests by demonstrators who dismiss the election as fraudulent and demand the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Dr. Jane Ansah.
President Mutharika accused the protests organisers of plotting to oust his government and warned that the organisers will be dealt with severely.
“The violence you see is calculated to turn Malawi into a lawless state,” Mutharika said on Saturday as the country celebrated the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.
According to the President, Trapence’s organisation want to create “lawlessness” so that they can take over this government.
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Malawi has become a ‘free for all’ to steal, loot and defraud funds from NGOs and international organizations, while the majority of population are languishing in hunger and poverty. I am ashamed to be a citizen of this country.
Ndiye inu ongotsatira ma demo mudziwe kuti mukatha demo ndi kubwerera kunyumba kukadya mfutso anzanu akuponda ma 7 million a ma donors. Don’t be fooled.
Catherine Hara stole the vote. She was distributing K200s on the day of elections. We know this and from people who were given the money. It is a fact.
Billy Mayaya are you upright? A UN akuti kuba kwa awiriwa athana nawo okha, ayenela kubweza ndalama. The point is that the two people are thieves yet they claim that they are clean and mobilise people against Ansa. Now you are also being exposed, shame on you thieves. Thanks UNAIDS staff, kaya ngati munapondana zamu koma ife taziwa kutu these two people are thieves. Sembeleka ukasiya za Mulungu umatha chonchi.
Ooo OK….Abweza.The Question is …Why is the Government so Eager to Arrest these two…They misused Donor Money ….Has National Aids Commission not Returned Money before to Donors ….After Misuse…? Komano Aja Anatobar Diesel Wathu wa ma Generator Abwenza liti…Paja anaba Ati ndi ma Guard…?Why is the Government Not so Eager ndi Nkhani ya Diesel uja …?
Kuvuta konse kuja nawonso uku akusolora?
anabadi eti?
No under-the-table settlements when it comes to abuse of “public” funds. Please, UN.
Nobody should be above the law, and Trapence and Sembereka must face the law, in fairness, like everyone else.Belonging to an NGO should not shield one from the law.
Musawatulutse because these crooks have violated state laws. The case between these two crooks against the state. Let the law take its course.
Oasamanga kaye Karim bwanji and ndalama zomwe anatenga sizamisonkho yathu mangani amene adya ndalama zamisonkho yathu kaye including APM umana kuti ndiye olemera koma mbabva enieni, wake up Malawi munthu ndimbabva yotheratu APM
Mumafuna kutchuka koma nde mwatchukadi
The truth is: money was fraudulently stolen,UN must be careful, Malawi is a zero tolerance country Who ever break the law, rich or poor,must dance the music,go to court and clear your name,but as far as I know, admission of paying back the money is admission of breaking the law
As human rights defenders they are suppose to be exemplary, How do they accuse others of theft when they themselves are abusing donors funds?
The entire CSO community has been shamed and humiliated. Trapence and Sembeleka have been completely demolished. Those who are backing them do not love our country. Mpaka UN accepting that they should just return the money. Zavuta apa basi.
Trapence and Sembeleka’s positions are untenable. They need to resign immediately. It has been confirmed they stole money. Whatelse do we need to understand that these are thieves?
poti mbuzi yagunda galu ,munya muona
k145mil munabwenza? Mbewa inu kwabasi
Trapence must resign also together with Rev Sembeleka
The issue is that the UN has confirmed Trapence and Sembeleka stole money.
We have thieves in Trapence and Sembeleka and many more of CSO activists. The UN has confirmed they stole money.
rapence – a thief and Sembeleka another thief.
Trapence and Sembeleka have been SHAMED. They stole money and the UN is asking them to repay the funds in order to rescue them from going to prison.
Thank you UN for resolving the past issue amicably and for demanding the release of our two political prisoners. We trust you will continue to stand for the basic Human Rights of all Malawians, including freedom of speech, freedom to demonstrate, and freedom to elect a president equitably and democratically.
DPP Tippex Government, manyazi bwaaaaaaaa? Kkkkkkkk mwa goofer big time.
UNITED NATIONS KNOWS VERY WELL THAT IN MALAWI PPLE ARE LIVING IN UNDEMOCRATIC STATE WHERE BY GOVT IS THREATENING THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSING THE DPP GOVT ONCE THEY DO SOMETHING STUPID
Muthalika is lying victory for Malawi is coming soon. You will have to accept the ruling else face arrest immediately and put on house remand where charges of treason will be placed on you.
I am very disappointed in you Mr Trapence,
mbava yayikulu Trapence UNgate
Remove Trapence, two more Trapences will emerge. You cannot stop change. Wise people take notice of where the wind is blowing and respond accordingly. Our police is the silliest in the world. They act like zombies, robots ready to be manipulated by thieves masquerading as politicians. If it is about fraud, we have a couple of chejumos at state house. Let me remind you two frauds masterminded by the couple at state house which you should have acted long time ago. Do you remember NAC funds channeled to Beautify Malawi run by first lady? Isn’t it fraud when donor money meant for HIV/Aids interventions is being channeled to BEAM for a different purpose than the intended one. Who checks how funds are used at BEAM? Then we have the thief we call our president. Remember the MWK145 million saga. What is the police doing? Arresting Karim alone is not enough. We know the president is immune but the police should have issued a statement to that effect.
DPP trying to silence the activists. If the matter was resolved, why is the police getting involved? They failed to arrest Pitala who was caught pants down with K145 million of tax payers’ money. Chaponda stole billions, Ben Phiri has stolen billions. Trying to silence activists over K7 million? How about the K4billion in Alufandika’s account? Shame on you DPP!
OK. Lets say all corruption cases involving government have been resolved and settled. The election case has also been resolved – there is no issue at all now. Trapence, Mtambo, Sembeleka and all the CSO activists making noise about government should stoop now.