(NYASATIMES) Malawi President warns ‘thieves and tricksters’ in his govt

Thursday, October 15, 2009

(NYASATIMES) Malawi President warns ‘thieves and tricksters’ in his govt

Malawi President warns ‘thieves and tricksters’ in his govt
By Nyasa Times
Published: October 14, 2009

President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has disclosed that some of his cabinet ministers, government officials and ruling DPP members are extorting money from, foreign investors in his name.

Mutharika told a news conference at his official residence, New State House in Lilongwe on Wednesday that the ‘thieves’ in his government have been milking investors especially from Asia.

“Bingu uja panopa washota alibe ndalama chifukwa anatha ndala pa campaign [Bingu is now broke because he spent all the money during campaign],” President claimed that the officials are saying when milking people.

Mutharika said even DPP gurus are going around soliciting money from business people on pretext that they want to rebuild the party. The President has advised business people who have fallen prey of the tricksters to report such people to him.

!I would like to warn the Asian business community and other business communities that if someone comes to you whether is a minister of senior government official, party official from DPP or any other party and comes and say Bingu has sent us to take money. It’s not from me. [But] Phone me,” said the President.

Mutharika said he is not amused with reports that some people are using his name to advance their personal agendas.

Malawi Police recently issued a warning to people who are masquerading as relatives of President Mutharika in order to secure employment or defraud unsuspecting business persons.

In a statement issued by police spokesman Willie Mwaluka, the law enforcers warn that they will arrest any person impersonating as a relation of President Wa Mutharika.

Police said any organisation seeking to employ people who claim to be Wa Mutharika kins should seek advice from the Office of President and Cabinet before dealing with claimants

According to police, there is been upsurge on people claiming to be the President’s relations in order to get employment.

Ronald Christopher Phiri, 26, is serving 30 months prison sentence for giving false information to persons employed in the public service.

Malawi Television (TVM) offered Phiri employment on June 29 as a marketing executive after he lied that he was related to President Wa Mutharika.

Police in Lilongwe also arrested Ashraf Daudi, Joseph Langa, Kondwani Undulu and Joseph Kwamwana for swindling K4 million from a business man after claiming that they were sent by Wa Mutharika son, Madalitso Mutharika.

In another development, an unidentified man duped the chief immigration officer, Elvis Thodi to obtain a passport within a short period of time after claiming to be Wa Mutharika relation.

Labels: BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, CORRUPTION, GOVERNANCE