Maravi

Rupiah will be compelled to speak, says Mangani

Rupiah will be compelled to speak, says Mangani
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 23 Jan. 2012, 12:57 CAT

RUPIAH Banda will be compelled to speak on the Mpundu Trust issue, says Lameck Mangani. In an interview, Mangani said that the summoning of the former president's wife, Thandiwe, was very interesting considering the fact that she was the director of a multi million dollar trust for her children, when she was merely a teacher.

The former first lady has been summoned to appear before a joint team of investigators at the Task Force office on February 3 on allegations of abuse of authority and money laundering.

This is in a matter involving the manner in which Mpundu Trust Limited and its directors acquired property sub division A number 29 of farm 488 A, on Leopards Hill Road.

"The former first lady never worked for three, four in fact five years when president Banda was vice-president and president. She was a teacher, so the type of value of the trust was far beyond the levels of the remuneration of the first lady as a teacher…," Mangani said.

He said whether Banda accompanies his wife or not for investigations, it would be interesting to know how Thandiwe would detach the Trust from the Banda family.

Mangani said Thandiwe was a citizen of Zambia although she was married to the former president and that she should be able to account for the hefty accounts that had been linked to her.

"What everybody is interested in is to know what really happened, since she is one of the directors that have been summoned along. We expect them to tell the truth," said Mangani.

"According to our Constitution, she does not hold public office, so if she has wealth that cannot be explained, it will be up to her to explain where she got the wealth. This is not the first time, we went through this during late former president Frederick Chiluba's time when his wife Regina had to give an account of property she had. This will send a clear message that no one is above the law. What we are trying to do is refine our society, that when you are given a mandate of serving the people, you are obliged to explain certain things that Zambians have doubt about."

Thandiwe has been summoned over allegations of abuse of office in connection with the establishment of the Mpundu Trust.

Labels: CORRUPTION, LAMECK MANGANI, RUPIAH BANDA, THANDIWE BANDA

posted by MrK @ 9:51 AM