BLANTYRE (Maravipost)–Unknown man, disguised as Special Assistant to President Peter Mutharika has duped Reverend Matiya Nkhoma of the Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa (CCAP) of K100,000
State House Press office has since admitted that some people, poising as “top State House aides” are going around duping and defrauding unsuspecting Malawians in the name of President Mutharika.
“There are some unscrupulous people with criminal minds who are going around posing as top State House aides duping and defrauding members of the public in the name of either arranging meetings with The State President His Excellency Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika or that they have been sent on errands by The Head of State.
“Several distinguished members of our society including government officials, have fallen victim to these criminals, losing thousands of kwacha in the process and some of them have been left stranded,” said Chikondi Juma, State House Press Officer.
According to State House Press office, the unknown man cheated Rev. Matiya that Mutharika wanted to have an audience with him and Paramount Chief Mbelwa VI at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe and he (fraudster) was tasked to arrange the meeting.
Later the fraudster, now posing as Chief Mbelwa asked unsuspecting Nkhoma through a phone call, to send him K100 000 through mobile money with which to buy fuel so that he should part of the arranged meeting with the President.
Juma also said several other similar incidences have been reported involving some District Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, Civil Society leaders among others.
“State House strongly condemns these unfortunate incidences as pure criminal acts and would like to disassociate State House, most importantly The Head of State from these incidences.
“State House with the assistance of the Police and other law enforcement agencies is taking seriously these reports and will investigate the incidences as they have the potential to bring into disrepute the name of State House and The President. Anyone who will be caught in connection with these acts will be prosecuted accordingly,” said Juma.
She also claimed that State House officials or Presidential aides “do not, will not and will never communicate through the phone to arrange a meeting with The President”.
“There are well established channels of communication and procedures to be followed by anyone wishing or asked to meet The Head of State,” she said.
She therefore, appealed to all government officials and the general to follow normal channels and to always verify any communication purported to be coming from or related to State House.
Juma also advised the general public to demand relevant identification documents from anyone claiming to be from State House and to verify with relevant authorities at State House before setting off for State House to meet the President or releasing any valuable materials including cash to unknown people.
