Zikhale lays claim on Bingu’s MK61 bn wealth: ‘Donor money deposited in personal account’

Malawi’s governing People’s Party (PP) deputy Campaign director Dr. Ken Zikhale Ng’oma has claimed a share of former president late Bingu wa Mutharika’s controversial MK61 billion wealth, saying the money was a donation to them from the Taiwan government.

Zikhale said the then ruling party in Taiwan, the Democratic Progressive Party gave late Mutharika and him the money to start a sister party in Malawi.

He said this at Mkondezi in Nkhata Bay District when President Joyce Banda laid a foundation stone for the construction of a new 36 bed maternity waiting home at Nkhata Bay District Hospital.

First Merchant Bank (FMB) has bankrolled the project at US$80,000 (MK28 million).

Zikhale: Bingu deposited donor money in his personal account
Zikhale: Bingu deposited donor money in his personal account

“But when we went to a bank in Singapore, Bingu left me and others out and went to withdraw the money from the bank. I asked for my share from Bingu but he was stingy to give me. I am ready to be a witness. Sizoona kuti ndalama izo zamasiye because I am still alive and I need my share,” Zikhale, who was a close confidante to late Mutharika, said.

However, he did not disclose how much they received from the Taiwanese but pointed out that he will fight to get his share.

“I started DPP (Malawi’s former ruling party) with President Joyce Banda, Uladi Mussa and Gwanda Chakuamba,” he disclosed.

DPP spokesman Nicholous Dausi threatened last week that the party is suing newspapers and property evaluator Yeremia Chihana for defamation on the allegations, condemning the “media campaign of deceit”.

Dausi said “the K61 billion figures are purely fictitious.”

Commenting on the issue, President Banda agreed with Zikhale on the origins of DPP and that the former State House Chief of Staff and late Mutharika indeed went to Taiwan with a begging bowl for DPP.

“But as for the money they allegedly received there it’s the first time am hearing this. However, Bingu insinuated several times before his death that he would not support me to be President of this country fearing an arrest because Dr. Ng’oma had apparently confided in me that he had received money from Taiwan. I did not know that,” President Banda said.

She then reiterated that the allegations of MK61 billion being stashed somewhere was a serious issue and that “I hope in future it will be investigated thoroughly and the truth laid bare because that money is enough for building many schools, clinics, training health workers among many other developmental projects,”

At the same function, lawyer Ralph Mhone who is prosecuting late Mutharika’s brother, Peter, for treason on behalf of the State, officially joined PP.

He was welcomed together with 100 other members from other political parties officially joined PP.

As it were in those days: Bingu greets Zikhale in DPP colours
As it were in those days: Bingu greets Zikhale in DPP colours as JB looks on

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