Chimwendo Banda Ready To Prove Cabinet Ministers Got K5 Million OPC Loans

Hon. Chimwendo

Honorable Member for Dowa East Richard Chimwendo Banda is on Wednesday afternoon expected to bring evidence that cabinet ministers took K5 million loan from Office of President and Cabinet (OPC).

His disclosure came in the House when legislatures are demanding Government to approve their delaying General Purpose Fund (GPF) loans of K5 million each which they are supposed to repay between now and 2019. However, Government maintains that with economic challenges the country is going through, it will not be possible to approve the MPs loans.

Leader of House, George Chaponda caused hon. Chimwendo to spill the beans when Chaponda accused the opposition members being selfish for their insistence to discuss the future of their condition of service and not to deliberate on the budget.

Honorable Chimwendo Banda then told the House on Tuesday afternoon that he has evidence that all cabinet ministers got K5 million loan from OPC which includes K1 million for hotel accommodation, K1 million for furniture and another for duty free cars. He added that ministers also draw K45 thousand a day when attending Presidential function.

He therefore expressed concern that Chaponda remarks were unfair to the opposition members and had intent to create bad picture to the public that one side of the house is interested in petty issues rather than focus on national concerns.

Deputy Speaker of National Assembly, Esther Mcheka Chilenje invoked Standing Order 102 requiring the legislator to provide evidence after Minister of Labor, Youth and Man Power who is also Government Chief Whip, Henry Mussa, requested the Deputy Speaker to order the member to bring evidence.

However, several cabinet ministers stood to protest against Hon Chimwendo's alleged evidence and denied to have obtained such a loan from the OPC.

Other Cabinet Ministers including Home Affairs minister, Jappie Mhango and Health Minister, Peter Kumpalume threatened Chimwendo to provide “only evidence that proves that all” cabinet ministers took the alleged loan.

As the house was in uproar state legislator for Nkhatabay Central, Raphael Mhone rising on Point of Order brought in suggestion that OPC ought to bring the information of details of ministers who took loans since that is a public document and not to ask member for Dowa East to bring that matter in the House. This suggestion was seconded by the Kasunu East legislator, Elias Wakuda Kamanga but Deputy Speaker, Esther Chilenje never ruled on this since there was no order in the House which forced her to suspend the proceedings to allow members to sober up.

Since Monday, members from opposition side have been requesting the Minister of Finance to express himself on reasons why the legislators are not up to this day receiving their General Purpose Fund loan which includes K1 million for emergency and K3 million general purpose advance loan.

The legislators are mainly concerned that since their five year term is closer to an end obtaining such loan later and with 40 percent current rates banks are charging they will be heavily taxed.

On Tuesday, the House was suspended twice following disagreement over the same issue and Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe has been discussing with the Welfare Committee on the matter.

Malawi Govt To Establish Employment Bureau

Malawi Government set to establish Labour Employment Bureau says Minister of Labour and Manpower Development

Hon. Henry Mussa told journalists in Lilongwe that Government would like to end burden that people are facing when searching for employment, as well, to enable employers have information of number of qualified people they look for.

He said Malawi is to establish the office with support of International Labour Organisation (ILO) and offices will be in each and every district.

Mussa was speaking in Lilongwe when introducing the new Country Director for International Labour Organisation responsible for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Mr. Alexio Mushindo.

"He came to get our priority list, one of which is establishment of Labour Employment Bureaus." He said

"We are going to have system data that the job seeker, by the touch of a button is able to know which companies are looking for what skills. Equally the employers should be able to get information as to how many of qualified people are looking for employment."

The Minister added that government is preparing for infrastructure, hiring of district labour officers and equipment for the offices.

Mussa emphasized that the Labour Employment Bureau is one of the key area which Malawi has asked ILO to assist because government wants to enable people look and find jobs in their district of residents without necessarily travel to towns or another region to look for jobs.

Malawi To Open Embassy in Geneva

Malawi Government ready to open Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland to tap into number of opportunities from international institutions headquartered there.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Development Hon Henry Mussa announced the on Wednesday in the Capital, City Lilongwe that this follows President Peter Mutharika directive that there has to be permanent office in Geneva, Switzerland.

"It pleased His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to direct that there be the Embassy in Geneva" announced Mussa at a news conference

He said Malawi for long time has missed opportunities for not having office in Geneva, home to United Nations and other international institutions. He therefore expressed optimism that Malawi is to benefit from such a development.

"This is a very exciting development because all the UN Agencies are in Geneva including UN Head quarters. There are a lot of benefits that Malawi stands to benefit. Good example is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) we will definitely be having an officer full time to deal with issues support into the labour services"

Mussa said the High Commissioner has already been identified through interviews made by Public Appointment Committee of Parliament

"Once all the processes are over then we shall be heavily represented where some of the good opportunities that we have been missing over the year's will be a thing of the past" added Mussa

Mutharika Brands 2013 Arrest and Detention “Abuse of Power”;

Thanks Cadets, Police Judiciary as He Walks Down Memory Lane

Mutharika 

President Professor Peter Mutharika has described his arrest in March 11, 2013 as ‘abuse of power’ and ‘irresponsible behavior’ of the Joyce Banda administration. Mutharika has for the third time also called the treason charges leveled against him as ‘stupid case’

The Malawi leader was speaking on Wednesday in the Capital Lilongwe at a commemoration of second anniversary of his arrest together with eleven other Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials.

Mutharika with fellow detainees
 (Photo by State House)

Peter Mutharika was arrested on treason charges following the findings and recommendations of Commission of Inquiry into the death of his brother former president late Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika, a commission instituted by Joyce Banda Administration. The Commission findings lead to suspect that Mutharika and other officials plotted bar of then vice president Joyce Banda from being Malawi president, in the course committing treason offense and insight mutiny for allegedly asking then Malawi Defense Force Commander General Henry Odilo to take over the government.

Mutharika speaking at Lumbadzi Police
(Photo by State House)

But speaking of his arrest at Mtunthama State Lodge Mutharika said “I think the arrest of me and the other ten was a typical example of irresponsible behavior and abuse of power”

“That’s why I have said all this time, and I will say it again that it was a stupid treason case” said President Mutharika while challenging that he is not afraid of media critics for reiterating the word “stupid treason case”

Mutharika in Lumbadzi
police cell with Other detainees
(Photo by State House)

Last year, similar remarks attracted mixed reacts on Mutharika’s choice of diction and credibility of his arrest when he uttered the words at Mjamba in commercial city of Blantyre and Masintha ground in the Capital city Lilongwe during rallies of thanking party supporters for voting him to presidency.

“Never again should this country allow that kind of abuse of power and there is nothing worse than abuse of power” he continued as began to express word of thanks to those that rallied behind him as he walked through agony from 11 march 2013 until the time he made it to presidency in May 2014. 

Mutharika writes his name on the wall
Of Lumbadzi police cell
(Photo by State House)

On this, Mutharika has thanked youth cadets for offering him protection from three suspected doctors who came to his police cell at Lumbadzi. He said one of them was identified as Head of Criminal Investigations Department were trying to enter into Mutharika’s cell claiming Peter Mutharika required medical attention and were there to help. When the men tried to force themselves in to the cell further raising suspicions, youth cadets thwarted their mission by beating them.

DPP Youth Cadets at Mtunthama
State Lodge: Protected their leader

Here, Mutharika said, had it not been for the protection of youth cadets he would by now have been “buried six feet under the ground.”

“Anything could have happened,” said Mutharika as he also expresses thanks to police for the defense and professionalism exercised throughout the time he was detained at Lumbadzi Police station.

He further, commended Judiciary for handling treason case professionally “I want to thank the judiciary for their real professionalism, and I want Judiciary to continue with this tradition because judiciary must stand between the abuse of power and helpless individuals. The judges are supposed to stand between that to protect innocent people, so am very grateful”

To all Malawians and DPP followers support Mutharika said “May be you don’t know what it is like when you are there, you are there and you have the whole force of government against you! It’s not easy there is humiliation as well! So myself and fellow prison graduates we say thank you!”

Women and all Malawians hailed for
Support

President Mutharika who was them interim President for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and other ten party officials were arrested and charged with treason.

Necton Mhura was detained with Mutharika
(Photo by State House)

The other ten are; Goodall Gondwe, Bright Msaka, Vuwa Kaunda, Dr. Jean Kalirani, Patricia Kaliati, Kondwani Nankhumwa, Henry Mussa, Necton Mhura, Nicholas Dausi and Unus Mussa.

Mutharika Walks Down Memory Lane of 2013 Arrest and Detention; Recounts His Time In Detention

Donates Various Items to Lumbadzi Police Station, Maula Prison

Mutharika

The State President Professor Peter Mutharika on Wednesday walks down memory lane of March 2013 arrest and detention following Treason  accusations leveled against him together with eleven Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials.

Mutharika visited cells of his detention at Lumbadzi Police station and later visited Maula Prison a place he denied to stay for he argued with officials that he could not stay there for he was not yet convicted of the alleged accusations. 

Speaking at Lumbadzi Police marking commemoration of 2nd anniversary of  his arrest in 2013, Mutharika immediately after visiting the cells he said "Henry Mussa was our pastor we used to pray every night." And added "Being in Police cell is not a joke, that's a place you notice that you are in an isolation world".

"The day we arrived here" he continued, "In the middle of night the Inspector General of Police Dzonzi (Loti Dzonzi former Inspector General of Police who was serving Joyce Banda administration) received information right away from the president. He was told that Professor requires medical attention and am sending medical doctors."

"But that was a total lie" he said

"When the three men came here, Bright Msaka (who were together with Mutharika in the cell) told them that Professor is fine and does not seek any medical attention." He said, then continued with  recounts of how those men were beaten by angry party supporters when the men forced themselves into the cells further sending suspicions of their presence and mission.

Mutharika revealed that the doctors were fake as one of them is being identified as a Head of Criminal Investigations Department and said " I have a signed affidavit by Inspector General of Police (refering to Former IG Loti Dzonzi) I have it myself at the right time I will use that Affidavit" 

Mutharika was in a company of some of the officials who were arrested with him; Goodall Gondwe, Nicholas Dausi, Bright Msaka, Vuwa Kaunda, Kondwani Nankhumwa and Henry Mussa.

He announced that he has donated 15 chairs for the police at Lumbadzi, 8 solar lamps and blankets.

Later, he visited Maula Prison where he also donated food and non food items worth millions.

The items includes three tones of laundry soap, 200 litres of cooking oil, 250 bags of maize flour, 500 bails of sugar, 400 litres of chlorine and 40 bags of beans.

He also went to Mtunthama State Lodge to honor several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials with medals for their endurance during such a trial times the party and its leadership went through.

President Mutharika Walks Down Memory Lane of 2013

Visits and Paint His Detention Cells at Lumbadzi and Maula Prison In Commemoration of 2nd Anniversary of His Arrest in March 2013

Pres. Mutharika

The State President Arthur Peter Mutharika is this Wednesday March 11, 2015 commemorating 2nd anniversary of  his arrest in 2013.

President Mutharika programme includes a trip down memory lane to see the prison cell in which he was once detained in 2013 that is in Lumbadzi and Maula Prison cells.