PH
Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has come out in defence of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, saying that the late leader had the capacity to accumulate an estimated K61bn without having to loot government funds.
According to All Africa, Information Minister Patricia Kaliati rubbished accusations of corruption against the ex-president, saying that evidence proving corruption was non-existent.
Kaliati also said that Mutharika worked for the World Bank, the United Nations (UN), was the owner of several farms and had published books during his tenure.
While addressing allegations of billions of looted funds being held in offshore accounts registered in Mutharika’s name, Kaliati claimed that the late president had retired from the UN at D1 grade, thereby leading him to have several offshore accounts containing large amounts.
“They are talking about bank accounts, where are the bank documents legally produced by the so called banks? They are talking about houses and other infrastructures, where are the title deeds of these things? There are no real documents here.”
The minister described allegations made by opposition members as “a pathetic political move” made by “disappointed individuals, failures and thieves”.
Kaliati’s utterances followed from a declaration made by the Malawi Law Society, backing calls for a probe into Mutharika’s accumulated wealth.
The allegations were made by opposition members who ordered that funds stashed in offshore accounts belonging to the ex-president be brought back and utilised towards recovering the country’s ailing economy.
“There is money there which belongs to the people of Malawi,” Member of Parliament Harry Mkandawire was quoted as saying.
