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