LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-After persistently indicating that it was impossible to slash the price of fertilizer to MK4,495 as promised by Dr Saulos Chilima through UTM and Tonse Alliance, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has lied, oops, promised that fertilizer will be at MK5,000.
However the announcement by Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha in parliament on Friday when he read the 2020/2021 financial plan contradicted what Peter Mutharika’s running mate Atupele Muluzi has been saying that the price will be MK2,500.
“You will be buying a 50 kg fertilizer bag at MK2,500 very soon and this will be in the budget,” Muluzi told a public rally in Salima.
But the sudden change is a clear signal that the slashing is just a political reaction to Tonse alliance and that the DPP doesn’t know the formula behind.
Just this week, Dr. Chilima challenged the government that if they can copy to reduce the price, the government must pay back people MK15,000 per each bag that they bought.
The DPP government and its new bed fellow UDF are notorius liars when it comes to campaign promises.
While the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) apologists are busy criticizing a legitimate legal bill which Chakwera and Chilima lawyers are demanding from Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) after winning the 2019 presidential election case, DPP die-hard politician-cum-businessman Leston Mulli is claiming billions of Kwachas from an already dead treasury.
Of course you will not hear Atupele Muluzi, the DPP/UDF running mate, talking about this because his campaign is benefiting from the easy money.
A few weeks ago, Mulli, who is Mulli Brothers Company Managing Director, through two of his companies, Sunrise Pharmaceuticals and Chombe Foods Limited, askedfor over 11 billion Kwacha from the DPP government as compensation for damage of property and loss of business during the July 20 2011 demonstrations.
During that time, Malawians took to the streets in protests against the then President late Bingu Wa Mutharika, demonstrating against poor leadership, bad governance and nepotism.
On October 3, 2014 the High Court assessed the loss in the total sum of K3,048,557,708.71 [Three Billion Forty-Eight Million Five Hundred Fifty-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Eight Malawi Kwacha Seventy-One Tambala] and further loss of business was yet to be assessed or agreed by the parties. It must be noted that the High court awarded him the money in a default judgement.
Some time after that, former Attorney General Charles Mhango, a strong DPP member, dubiously authorized payment of MK3.1 billion compensation to the Leston Mulli-owned firms.
Mhango authorized the payment when his office was challenging the claims in the Supreme Court of Appeal, quite a strange phenomenon!
The interest of the attorney general should have been to vigorously protect government against such hefty claims for payment.
There was a chance that the government would have succeeded with the appeal at the Supreme Court.
By not protecting the government, Mhango showed that he had no interest of Malawi at heart.
Any reasonable person would suggest that President Mutharika, the Attorney General and Mulli benefited from the payment.
Otherwise, who in their right mind would just authorize such a huge payment without a fight?
The dubious payment wasdone when government is until now failing to collect MK4.9 billion in loans that Mulli-owned companies obtained from the defunct State-controlled Malawi Savings Bank (MSB).
Mulli was the largest beneficiary of the K6 billion toxic loans government took over from MSB, a then wholly State-owned commercial bank, sold in July 2015 to FDH Financial Holdings Limited.Mulli obtained MK4.9 billion from the bank while other firms owed over MK660 million.
It’s reported that four years after government set up the special recovery vehicle to collect the MK6 billion, no single tambala has been recovered.
After being paid the MK3.1 billion, Mulli is now claiming an additional K11 billion!
When asked about this new claim, Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale, said, “we received the letter of demands and as government we are studying it.”
However, sources close to the matter say the payment was already processed.
This would not be surprising because Mulli, a DPP member was asking for the exorbitant payment from the DPP government through a fellow DPP supporter, Kalekeni Kaphale.
President Peter Mutharika is the leader of DPP, Leston Mulli is a DPP member and one of the financiers of DPP.
Former Attorney General Charles Mhango is also DPP member and serves as it’s legal adviser.
As DPP members, they have one common goal; to ensure that DPP continues ruling as it’s members continue getting stinking rich.
To continue ruling, they need to win elections. One of the necessary things they need to win an election is to have enough money for campaign.
If they lose the election, they will also need money, lots of it, because they will no longer have access to treasury.
It is only a fool who would think that Leston Mulli, a DPP financier, would claim billions of Kwachas from the DPP government without the approval of President Mutharika, the DPP presidential candidate.
Soon after the alleged MK11 billion payment, Mulli embarked on a serious campaign trip to the north.
He is obviously using the same money to campaign for DPP. These people are now employing mafia tactics to steal billions of tax payers money for campaign.
Now that they know their days in government are numbered, they have embarked on a stealing spree that is unprecedented in Malawi.
DPP thieves are working overtime to milk Malawi to death. They will never cease until Malawians take decisive action against them.
Otherwise, Malawi will one day wake up to an empty treasury. Vote these thieves out!
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Busted! There is power struggle in governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with inattentiveness of President Peter Mutharika on political scene.
In an interesting twist of events, we can reveal that Justice Minister Bright Msaka and fellow cabinet minister Kondwani Nankhumwa have the ambition to serve as Acting President and Acting Vice President hoping for simultaneous vacancy in the two offices of State President and State Vice President come July 3, 2020 without the elections.
This is even dangerous to President Peter Mutharika who insiders say is not aware of the grand plan by his cabinet ministers.
Insiders said President Mutharika is not being told the truth about the constitutional amendment bills that government wants to table before parliament with an aim of delaying the fresh presidential elections as ordered by the High Court sitting as a Constitutional Court and upheld by the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal.
“The truth is that Hon. Bright Msaka has been canvassing the leadership in DPP to resist the fresh presidential elections on June 23, 2020. He is pushing for these constitutional amendment bills through Parliament with an aim of delaying the elections beyond the July 3, 2020 court ordered deadline.
“If that happens, then he will get support from his cabinet colleagues to be appointed as Acting President since there will be a vacuum in that office and Mutharika would have lost his mandate to rule. Nankhumwa will be appointed Acting Vice President. Mind you it will be cabinet appointing these two and that have already worked out their numbers,” said an impeccable source privy to the scheme.
“The sad thing is that even HE (Mutharika) is not aware that his boys are playing this game. This also means Atupele Muluzi will be completely left out,” added the source.
President Mutharika picked Atupele, UDF president and son to former President Bakili Muluzi, as his running mate in the upcoming fresh presidential elections.
To add credence to the plan, Government yesterday announced changes in its leadership in the National Assembly with Msaka jumping from a mere backbencher to become the Deputy Leader of the House replacing little known Martha Lunji.
Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara announced Thursday, June 11, 2020 that government leadership in the House has changed with Nankhumwa maintaining his position as Leader of the House and Msaka as Deputy Leader of the House.
Government Chief Whip remains Symon Vuwa Kaunda who is deputized by Mary Navicha.
A legal guru who refused to be named said if the fresh presidential elections are not held within the 150 days as ordered by the High Court sitting as Constitutional Court, then both President Peter Mutharika and his Vice Saulos Chilima will cease to hold office and ‘cabinet may appoint amongst themselves an acting President and acting Vice President to serve until the fresh presidential elections are held’.
Parliament agreed through a resolution on Tuesday to hold the fresh presidential elections by June 23, 2020 and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has already been informed of Parliament resolution with its newly appointed Chairman Justice Dr Chifundo Kachale confirming through a statement on Wednesday that the elections will take place on June 23, 2020.
There was no immediate reaction from DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi on the claimed plot of the two inside the party.
DPP Vice President (South), Kondwani Nankhumwa and Atupele Austin Muluzi now at Luchenza, Thyolo district.
Democratic progressive Party – DPP Vice President (South), Kondwani Nankhumwa has told people of Mulanje South Constituency that come July 2, they should make no mistake but vote for President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Vice President from the UDF Atupele Muluzi.
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Nankhumwa said Mulanje has always rallied behind democracy as such the DPP/UDF alliance is set to continue with development projects in the country.
“Mulanje sisunga kape…Mulanje doesn’t keep backward thinking people. I should urge all of you as people who are development conscious people to vote for the DPP-UDF alliance. President Professor Mutharika and Atupele Muluzi are right candidates for the job,” said Nankhumwa.
Atupele Austin Muluzi now at Luchenza, Thyolo district
Speaking to thousands of people at Chitakale Trading Center in Mulanje Atupele Muluzi who continues to attract large crowds, asked the youth to vote for President Mutharika because he thinks of the youth.
“You will appreciate that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has made a choice for me as one of the youths in the country, this is evident enough that our president has confidence in the youth,” said Muluzi.
Malawi Electoral Commission announced that the official campaign period for July 2 Presidential poll runs from May 2 to June 30.
Those that are sympathising with former president Bakili Muluzi and claiming that the recent Constitutional Court’s decision that his 1.4 billion Kwacha corruption case needs to go to trial is nothing but persecution of the former president need to have their heads examined. Surely this is just a cheap shot at trying to gain favour with the veteran political manipulator, probably in hopes that he can help them gain some needed political mileage, as a general election looms large?
rampant corruption in Malawi government departments
What should be more embarrassing to every patriotic Malawian is the appalling fact that this very clear cut case of corruption has been allowed to drag for so long, that it has been used politically by various administration since the administration of late Bingu wa Mutharika when the matter commenced, and that the judiciary has been so patient with Muluzi’s shenanigans to try and defeat the course of justice over this matter. Continue reading Z Allan Ntata’s Uncommon Sense: DON’T CRY FOR MULUZI→
As we draw closer to the election day of May 20, the citizenry anxieties are riffing with tipsy thoughts of who to vote for still the headache of the day. Though with mixed reactions, the four upfront presidential contenders have all been approved by MEC, meaning that they have met of the requirements for them to contest. This has given them emotional and psychological muscle to come closer to the electorates for votes either through true promises or masks. Atupele Muluzi is one of the big four in this election, no doubt about that.
Atupele Muluzi is the first youngest but influential presidential aspirant Malawi has ever had. It may be because of his father’s blood in him or just knowing how to play it safe and clever. Despite Uladi Mussa’s loud mouthing, Atupele is of age to contest as per Malawi’s constitution. He is 35 years, young and strong. I don’t doubt his capability to run this country; the young man appears composed and visionary. He is also clever enough to distance himself from his father’s failures. Well, truly speaking, Atupele is not Bakili; the two have different hearts beating separately and their brains reasoning independently. I also believe that Atupele has acquired the minimum education stipulated in our constitution to run for the top seat. Besides these, I still have concerns and fears about his aspiration.
One of my concerns is that although he has his own brain and heart, the father’s influence cannot be strange during his tenure just in case he wins. You and I remember that, Bakili Muluzi brought Bingu wa Mutharika on board thinking he was a puppet whom he would manipulate at will, unfortunately and fortunately to Malawians, this did not work out. We thanked God that even when we thought He had desolated us by letting UDF win again, He saw beyond the reach of our eyes and later we sung a different song. We were out of UDF’s miserable administration. This is why we should think twice when we condemn Bingu for betraying UDF. I tend to believe, that was God’s making. Bakili wanted to ring the bell from the back, thank God, the plans were frustrated.
Now, Atupele’s fate may be different in that this is his father not a stranger or ordinary person. In plain language, what I mean is, by voting Atupele Muluzi to power, we are actually reverting Bakili’s leadership. Atupele may claim to be different when he is in public and some of you would believe him, but behind the scenes, he may be discussing different plans with his father. I hope you remember Bakili saying, “anthu mukhale ndi makobidi mmatumba mwanu (I will make sure you have money in your pockets).” There was a time we should not forget; people had money but no maize in ADMARKs. People could go to bed with money in their pockets but no food to buy as a result people died of hunger. This is what Atupele has already started saying during his campaign rallies.
My other fear is related to religion. As we stand now, our constitution does not stipulate our nation being either, Christian, Islamic or secular but that we are a sovereign state. To me this is better and neutral and accommodative to all of us, but am afraid with the coming in of another Muluzi, things may be contrary. When Bakili was in power, making Malawi an Islamic state was one of his agendas with the covenant he made with the late Libyan president, Comrade Muammar Gaddafi but time was not on his side to finish the project but he tried. You and I remember that we didn’t have as many mosques as we have now. This was the work of Bakili Muluzi. He made sure that there is a mosque after every 10 kilometers in urban areas which he succeeded as all of you can witness. Malawi received aid from Islamic countries with such a motive behind.
Recently, you remember one Yao chief Busiri of T/A Chowe claimed that Mangochi is an Islamic state and that all pig farmers should vacate the area. Well, MAM disowned such claims but who knows what is behind the scenes, they may be saying, “be patient chief, wait until Atupele gets in power.” You may think, I am having a propaganda agenda but wait until Atu is in power and make your own evaluation. Some reports were already rife that al-Qaeda promised Atupele money for campaign if only he assures them of turning Malawi to an Islamic state. Don’t misunderstand me, I am not against Muslims, they are our brothers and sisters but I believe that we have more freedom now than having an Islamic state. With an Islamic state, Christians and other religions may not have a breathing space at all. Never in Malawi’s history did Christians and Muslims fought until when Bakili became president. The Church was burnt in Mangochi and a Mosque in Mzuzu during campaign towards 1999 general elections. This was because, Muslims thought it was now their time. It was during Bakili’s leadership when we started hearing about Al Qaeda (the militant group founded by Osama bin Laden) and Al Shabaab having a hideout in Malawi. I am afraid; this may be worse if Atupele becomes president of Malawi. Wherever Al Qaeda and Al Shabaab are, people know no peace; there are bombs and grenades in unexpected public places just to kill innocent people in the name of religion.
I believe that on this, our constitution is better being neutral than declaring Malawi, “an Islamic state.” Atupele may rebuff this for the sake of votes but once he gets in power, you know how our presidents behave; no one will have the infantry to stop him. I would be a bit confortable if he was someone’s running mate than a presidential aspirant though he would be a president in waiting after winning election as well and ending up with the Bingu/Joyce situation.
These are my only fears. He who has ears has heard. Don’t say, no one warned you. Think about it, the choice is yours but remember that choices have consequences.
My other fear is related to religion. As we stand now, our constitution does not stipulate our nation being either, Christian, Islamic or secular but that we are a sovereign state. To me this is better and neutral and accommodative to all of us, but am afraid with the coming in of another Muluzi, things may be contrary. When Bakili was in power, making Malawi an Islamic state was one of his agendas with the covenant he made with the late Libyan president, Comrade Muammar Gaddafi but time was not on his side to finish the project but he tried. You and I remember that we didn’t have as many mosques as we have now. This was the work of Bakili Muluzi. He made sure that there is a mosque after every 10 kilometers in urban areas which he succeeded as all of you can witness. Malawi received aid from Islamic countries with such a motive behind.