Tag Archives: Former Malawi president Mutharika

Busted! Former Malawi President Mutharika’s step son Mafudza caught illegally drawing salaries from two parastatals

2020-11-03 Maravi Post Reporter

***Gertrude-Mutharia-son-Tadikira-Mabfuza***

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- Rumours have been rife of how the former Malawi first family, especially the former First Lady, Gertrude Mutharika and her son from her previous marriage, Tadikira Mafudza, were fleecing Malawian taxpayers but concrete evidence has been lacking.

However, it appears their chickens may have come home to roost, at least for Peter Mutharika’s step son, Tadikira.

Investigations by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, HRDC, have established that Tadikira was drawing salaries from Lilongwe Water Board and the Roads Authority.

In a letter addressed to the Anti Corruption Bureau, ACB, Director, signed by HRDC National Chaiperson, Gift Trapence and its National Coordinator, Luke Tembo, the human rights watchdog states,

“HRDC has also received allegations that LWB had on its payroll, President Mutharika’s stepson, Tadikira. His name was reflected in the engineering section. It is alleged that despite being paid by LWB, Tadikira never reported for duties. It is also alleged that his name was also appearing on the payroll of Roads Authority”.

Tadikira is understood to have been employed by the Roads Authority.

In its letter, HRDC has also taken issue with the fact that LWB close to MK 30 million for the construction of the statue at Parliament roundabout in Lilongwe, City Centre, on behalf of Beautify Malawi, BEAM, Trust, apparently as part of LWB’s corporate social responsibility.

Coincidentally, BEAM trust is run by Tadikira’s mother, Gertrude Mutharika, Peter Mutharika’s wife and former First Lady.

HRDC has accused LWB officials of “abuse of office to appease their political masters” and has asked the ACB to investigate the allegations. HRDC has also demanded that the money be paid back.

In a related development, HRDC has also written ACB, asking the the bureau to investigate allegations of abuse of office at Blantyre City Council in the way the way the council got into a 1 year contract to hire BEAM Trust refuse collection trucks at the rate of MK 60, 000.00 per day, totaling to MK 22 million a year.

The deal has been faulted for flouting procurement procedures as the council did not seek approval from the office of Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Director.

Ironically, BEAM Trust, a charity, got the vehicles as a donation from the Republic of China.

Mutharika lost to Lazarus Chakwera of Tonse during the June 23, 2020 presidential elections

Politics, Regional

Former Malawi President Mutharika upbeat despite loss following Concourt faulty rulings and Judgement

2020-10-26 Elwin Mandowa

HIS EXCELLENCY PROF. ARTHUR PETER MUTHARIKA PRESS BRIEFING;

David Phiri a legal expert based in Geneva wrote ConCourt Judges were guilty of judicial overreach, even Though the question was not brought before them, the panel of five high court judges who sat to constitute a Constitutional Court took it upon themselves to debate and rule upon the meaning of ‘majority’ as it relates to electoral victory. They insisted that ‘majority’ means a candidate must win 50%+1 of the votes.

These high court judges inexplicably disregarded the fact that the 50+1 debate was settled at the Constitutional Conference of February 1995 where many framers of the Constitution participated – and decided emphatically that the word “majority” in Section 80(2) of the Constitution means “first past the post system.” Then in 2000, the High Court and Supreme Court rulings in the Gwanda Chakuamba challenge also stated that Section 80(2) means “first past the post.”

David Phiri further amplified that ConCourt Judges’ reasoning was questionable, In the same vein of judicial arrogance, these five Judges opined that Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) should not have delegated their judicial function of resolving electoral disputes. There are 5002 Polling Centres throughout the country from where most, if not all, electoral disputes are generated and must be resolved. In standard practice, this has mostly been done by Presiding Officers, who represent MEC at these Polling sites. It is unreasonable, not to mention absurd, to rule that nine Commissioners must personally resolve disputes whenever they occur at these 5002 Polling Centres.

The petitioners who brought the claim that Constituency Tally Centres (CTC) were used to rig the election, left out the crucial fact that they themselves, along with civil society, had lobbied for such centres in 2017.

Therefore, the CTC was created by all stakeholders who included MEC, Political Parties, Security agents, Observers, NGOs, etc. These CTCs were an administrative innovation intended to complement the District Tally Centres (DTCs), which had never been replaced.

However, in his first public appearance, Former Malawi President Peter Mutharika who was upbeat said, He spoke of how he promised not to leave the democratic progressive party (DPP) at Ndata on 23 April 2012 at his brother’s funeral. He assured that he is not clinging to the Presidency but will not leave now until a successor is elected at a convention, not but self-promoting politicians hungry for power.

Peter Mutharika joked about his retirement house being unfinished as he told journalists to look at the ongoing work because he has no cement. So where would the 5 billion Kwacha worth of cement have gone, he wondered?

The former President commented on the arrests of Mzomera and Uladi; saying these are good people. They made mistakes.

The Malawi Former President On revelations of corruption to have happened under his administration; corruption is everywhere. The only problem is that in a poor country like Malawi the effects are more apparent. He never condoned it and is happy the new government is fighting it.

Malawi Former President Mutharika, on how he rates the Chakwera government so far. He said cannot rate as he has not seen much apart from them opening his projects. He said the golden peacock opened today was something he personally negotiated. However, he said was willing to give the government more time.

Peter Mutharika On whether he has spoken with Lazarus Chakwera & his relationship with him. He declined to answer saying for the sake of privacy he chose to withhold his comments.

Peter Mutharika, on his vision for infrastructure; he had intended for an overpass in Blantyre from Clock tower through Victoria Avenue and back to ease traffic.

He was strong on the court mandated fresh election; Calling them a farce and said he accepted the faulty ruling because Malawi is bigger than him.

Peter Mutharika, On the new government; he has wished them luck. Saying it is not an easy job. He will not be doing anything to antagonize them.

Despite it all, Peter Mutharika looked sharp and rejuvenated. He even made jokes. He said of the presence of an MBC reporter- bola asakuchoseni kuti ma cadet.

Opinion, Politics

Former Malawi President Mutharika still living in denial

2020-10-26 Richard Kayenda

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Immediate past Malawi President, Arthur Peter Mutharika, has openly said the June 23, 2020 fresh presidential election was not fair, free and credible enough to warrant him exist from the presidency.

Mutharika, who was last evening speaking in an exclusive interviw with a local media house, Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) repeated that he was not supposed to leave the first citizen position, only that most electoral stakeholders, including the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) vehemently chose to oust him.

He justifed his assertion by saying that his party monitors who were designated to observe the election in the most parts of the central region of the country were roughed up and some were even hacked to death.

Although he never came out clearly whether such a matter was reported to police and what the police did about it, Mutharika reiterated that the fresh polls were marred with massive rigging orchestrated by the opposition parties, who barred his party monitors from participating freely in the process.

Asked why he never disputed the electoral results in a court of law, Mutharika ranted that he saw no reason to do so as he was convinced beyond any doubt that the court also wanted him out of power, by suggesting to MEC to invoke 50%+1 electoral law.

Mutharika further said he decided never to object results of the polls because he realised that Malawi as a country is bigger than him; though he was really sure that the election were worse than the one in 2019.

As to why his government was highly fiddled with corruption and fraud, Mutharika said government is a big entity and so it was not easy for him to manage it and end corruption, but he rated himself as a better leader who has far reaching vision for the nation.

Mutharika downplayed the current government, saying there is no development yet being done by the same, other than commissioning developmental projects which his government implemented.

Mutharika indicated that since the demise of his brother, Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika in 2012, most people, including top party officials deserted the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and it took his own efforts and few others to rebuild it and took it to waltz the government.

On that point, Mutharika emphasised that he will not allow anyone to take the party over from him any soon and mortgage it to political opponents.

Malawi, Politics

“I will quit when DPP is reorganized for the next polls”-Former Malawi President Mutharika

2020-10-23 Maravi Post Reporter

MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-Former Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Friday, October 23, 2020 told Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters that it would be irresponsible of him to quit as leader of the part at this point in time when the party is in disarray .

Mutharika was addressing the news conference at his base in the lakeshore district of Mangochi amid power struggle in the party.

The former Malawi leader disclosed that he will call for a party convention after that process.

Mutharika however, stressed that he will not support any aspirant for the party leadership who ‘will want to hijack the party and sell it to the highest bidder’.

The DPP leader added that he will live by the promise he made at Ndata during the funeral of his brother late Bingu wa Mutharika.

He says the party has established a functional reviewing committee which will meet and report back, then National Governing Council will convene for restructuring the party and then convention will follow.

On the arrest of DPP top officials, Mutharika says “we will pray for them until they come out. It is sad. I feel very sorry for them and their families.”

“I dont see much that has been done other than inspect my projects. But I am glad that government has decided to adopt some of my projects,” says Mutharika on how he rates the performance of the Tonse Alliance in the first 100 days.

On corruption, Mutharika says he has always stood against the cancer.

However he said it is not possible for a president to know what is happening everywhere hence the need for everyone to take part in the cause.

But Mutharika said he is glad that there is now more funding to the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Financial Intelligence Unit FIU.

He therefore said he will support President Lazarus Chakwera for the country to progress.

Politics

Former Malawi President Mutharika’s Kangaroo Court fires Nankhumwa as Leader of Opposition: Settles for Kasaila

2020-09-30 Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-A kangaroo Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ‘disciplinary committee’ has recommended to DPP leader Peter Mutharika to fire Mulanje Central Legislator Kondwani Nankhumwa, as Leader of Opposition in Parliament, replacing him with Nsanje Central MP Francis Kasaila.

Despite that the Kangaroo Court failed to convene a fortnight ago at Golden Peacock in Lilongwe after Nankhumwa raised a concern that it consisted of people like George Chaponda and Bright Msaka who he said were compromised by virtue of their apparent interest in occupying the position of Leader of Opposition in Parliament and VP South, the committee has already made its judgement.

In a letter to Speaker of Parliament signed by Msaka and the party’s administrative secretary Francis Mphepo, the party has appointed Kasaila with immediate effect and Speaker is expected to announce tomorrow.

“Infact the original idea was to fire him from the party, but it had to take the intervention of Goodall Gondwe to pump some sense in them,” said the source.
Nankhumwa, aged 42, was probably the only one among the DPP former Ministers currently retaining the glitz of being chauffeur-driven in a government vehicle with 24 hour Police protection by virtue of him being Leader of opposition.

This was apparently a bad news for his contenders for the DPP presidency as the position of Leader of Opposition places him further ahead in that race.

The source further disclosed that the players in the scheme to finish off Nankhumwa included Brown Mpinganjira, Chaponda, Msaka, Joseph Mwanamveka, Francis Mphepo and a panel of other old guards who are manipulating Mutharika as their handyman.

Mutharika is serving his last term as President of DPP, and will not be on the ballot at the next election.
“
In fact, he has always been prone to manipulation even during his heydays as President of the Republic as evidenced by some of the bizarre decisions he made, notably the appointment of little-known and illiterate Everton Chimulirenji as his running mate in the May 21, 2019 presidential polls. What is happening in the DPP as highlighted above is practically war for the DPP presidency when APM leaves the stage,” said the source.

Among the contenders for the coveted position include Chaponda, Msaka, Nankhumwa, Joseph Mwanamveka and Uladi Mussa.

Nankhumwa is largely considered within the party and outside as a breath of fresh air and the most active among the four Vice Presidents for the party from the four political regions.

Nankhumwa has so far been consistent in his style of communication, which is always cool, calm and issue-based, something that has made him the rising darling of Malawian politics, and cultivated substantial support for him within the rank and file of the DPP.

Nankhumwa has also been hailed by most parliamentarians from across the political divide as a go-getter, a result-oriented leader who always desires that things get done.

Nankhumwa has always been the ‘go-to-man’ on matters of DPP intra-party politics as well as outside of it.

The first point of call is to take away the position of Leader of Opposition from Nankhumwa, and yes they are using the 82-year old APM; the second will probably be to remove him as a contestant at the next convention using the issue of certificate and ‘education background’ to try and make him ineligible for the presidency.

Bitterest Brown Mpinjanjira (BJ)

But among Nankhumwa’s adversaries, Brown Mpinganjira is the bitterest. It is apparent he has serious political scores to settle against Nankhumwa following his loss of the Mulanje Central parliamentary seat to the latter. Nankhumwa has beaten Mpinganjira to the seat twice, in 2009 and 2014.

The earlier the better that the old guard realizes that despite his personal and political inadequacies, which everyone has, Nankhumwa embodies the party’s youthful outlook and that he is actually a big plus to the party in its rebuilding efforts

Nankhumwa is DPP-bred with inside knowledge of the party; an ambitious young man who has proven to be a performer as MP, cabinet minister, Leader of the House, Leader of Opposition in Parliament and party Vice President.

Most importantly, Nankhumwa has been unquestionably loyal to both the late President Bingu wa Mutharika, Peter Mutharika and the larger vision of the party.

Malawi, Sports

Former Malawi president Mutharika lied on buying Bullets, Nomads buses…State house paid it all

2020-07-05 Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-This is it. The buses which domestic football powerhouses—Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers—got as gifts from immediate past president Peter Mutharika were not bought using his personal funds as announced earlier by State House.

Weekend Nation has established that the Higger buses, which were handed over to the two teams just a day before the fresh presidential election, were bought from Rashy Motors through a cheque amounting to MK300 million from State Residences.

The payment was processed through National Bank of Malawi’s Lilongwe Service Centre and the buses were branded at City Motors in Blantyre.

Former State House press secretary Mgeme Kalilani initially said the buses were bought using Mutharika’s personal money.

But he changed his tune yesterday, saying there was a communication breakdown.

In a response to a questionnaire, Kalilani said: “As much as I ceased to speak for the former president, I think I have to step in and clarify this because it is important to do so.

“Yes. Correct. The buses were bought by State House. Apparently, there was poor communication from the officer who was handling the transaction at the State House on behalf of the [former] president.

“When he was asked about the source of the funds for the purchase, he said ‘it was from the President’, which was understood to mean from the President’s own personal funds. But The correct position was that it was from the President’s Vote in the National budget handled by the State House.”

Initially, the former State House press secretary also said Mutharika had bought Marcopolo luxury coaches, but as it turned out, they were Higger buses.

On his part, Rashy Motors managing director Rashid ‘Rashy’ Gaffar yesterday confirmed having received payment “from government”.

He said: “I have been involved in this business for sometime and I can sell them to anyone.

“I got payment from government for the buses, but I cannot go into details, rather the information should come from the government… They are better placed to give out more details. I just supplied the buses.”

Football analyst Humphrey Mvula described the purchase as abuse of office by the former president.

He said: “It is not surprising that taxpayers’ money was used by APM to buy these two buses. Now that we know, one begs to ask the one million dollar question: Why did he lie?

“Additionally, the buses procured are not Marcopolos from Brazil, they are Higgers from China, another lie.

“This was fraudulent behaviour because he couldn’t have used government money on the pretext of being his own.”

Mvula urged the new government to ask the former president to pay back the money.

“I equally wonder how a Higger bus would cost K150 million each,” he said.

Mutharika made the pledge to the two teams on June 13 at Nyambadwe Primary School ground in response to the requests from the two teams as well as the Football Association of Malawi.

He said: “Funso la mabasi…. Mabasi tikupatsani lero. Bus imodzi kwa Big Bullets, bus ina kwa Be Forward Wanderers.”

However, the two teams did not get the buses on the same day as promised.

The Maravi Post