Well-wishers raise K5m for First Lady to refund NAC money

First Lady Gertrude Mutharika through her Beautify Malawi (Beam) Trust has raised K5 million from “well-wishers” as a refund of the money that belongs to people with HIV and Aids in this country, irregularly taken out of National Aids Commission (NAC).

The refund of the money took place at Pacific Hotel in the capital city Lilongwe on Tuesday after pressure from some civil society organisations (CSOs) who demanded Beam and Mulhako wa Alhomwe to reimburse the funding, and threatened to call for a national demonstration this January 13, 2015.

But Beam which challenged no to refund the money through Mabvuto Bamusi , the presidential advisor, has said it has bowed down to the voice of reason

Representing Beam  “well-wishers”, Barnet Chinsinga said the money was raised to pay back to NAC to prevent  mass protests which he said criminals would take advantage.

However, there were no officials from NAC to receive the money.

There were pro-government activists at the function who included Billy  Mayaya, Robert Mkwezalamba and Maziko Matemba.

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.

The Global Fund, which is the major donor in the fight against Aids, tuberculosis and malaria in the country, has asked NAC to explain the financial abuse, according to commission’s acting executive director, Davie Kalomba.