We, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep), welcome the recent conviction and sentencing of Oswald Lutepo over money laundering and conspiracy to defraud government in the infamous cash-gate scandal.
As esteemed members of the Civil Society, we view this sentencing as a triumph of justice on cash gate scandal – which led to billions of kwacha getting into a few selfish pockets at the expense of millions of Malawians dying in hospitals due to shortage of drugs and also lack of basic public necessities.
We commend the state, the judiciary and other key stakeholders for remaining steadfast in pursuit of justice on cashgate cases. Despite some earlier growing public concerns of the slow pace of cashgate cases, it is indisputable that there has certainly some notable progress in the court’s hearing and prosecution of the cases.
This is a positive development that we need to build on as a country as we move forward in pursuit of justice on all cashgate cases.
We, at CHRR and Cedep, have also observed that there are currently growing serious allegations implicating Malawi’s former President Dr. Joyce Banda in the infamous cashgate scandal. Despite claiming she called for investigations into reports of corruption in her PP administration, reports linking her to
enjoying unexplained wealth keep growing.
Even attempts by the-then Peoples Party (PP) administration to portray the revelation of cashgate as a “breakthrough” and a testimony of JB’s systematic fight against corruption seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. The prevailing public opinion seems to suggest that Joyce Banda is the “chief cashgater” or the “big fish” in this K24 billion cashgate.
Just recently cashgate convict Oswald Lutepo and former Assistant Director of Tourism Leonard Kalonga implicated Dr. Joyce Banda as amongst the list of people who are allegedly to have either been involved or benefitted from cashgate.
It is therefore premised on the above that we at CHRR and Cedep implore the state to urgently institute investigations into the recent claims made before the court implicating former President Joyce Banda’s in cashgate.
We feel these claims shouldn’t just be taken lightly considering the fact that Malawians are waiting with bated breath to see justice being not only seen to be done but also manifestly done on the infamous cashgate. The state shouldn’t be afraid to investigate, and where necessary prosecute, the former head of state merely for fear of being labelled as embarking on political witch-hunt against the former head of state or the Peoples Party. As long as there is credible evidence, the state is obliged to act and ensure that justice is done and seen in the general interest of Malawians.
After all, no one is above the law, and the notion that political power can be a safe haven for impunity would create dangerous double standard and set a bad precedence. It’s important that we all, irrespective of political, social or religious divide, directly participate in the fight against impunity for “the crimeof cashgate” so that those responsible for –whoever they are and wherever they are – can be held accountable for this “crime” that gravely offend human dignity and human rights.
In the same breath, we call upon the former President Joyce Banda, as a matter of moral principle, to come back home and clear herself in this cashgate saga. The former President needs to know that her continued “self-exile” is doing more harm than good not only to her political career but most importantly to the general public who seems to hold the opinion that the former head of state is evading justice in the infamous cashgate in the process indirectly validating the existing public perception that she is the possible “big fish”.
It’s high time the former Malawi leader came out of her cocoon and cleared herself in this cashgate scandal.
Lastly, there is need for the state to extend the same zeal and commitment it has shown on the K24 billion cashgate to the alleged K92 billion cashgate. There are public concerns, in a case of selective justice, that government has so far not demonstrated any political will in ensuring that the alleged 92 billion cashgate is dealt with once and for all. Justice should not only be seen to be done but also manifestly be done on
both issues.
VIVA DEMOCRACY!!!!! VIVA MALAW
