AG, lawyer differ on Kamuzu’s family claim

Lawyer representing the family of Malawi’s founding president the late Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Ralph Mhone, says he is yet to get a response from the Attorney General (AG) regarding the claim of benefits of 15 years by the family.

Kamuzu Banda’s family, through Mhone, sent a notice dated October 24 2012 to the AG’s Chambers, with the heading: Claim for benefits: Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda (Deceased).

Mhone’s statement follows AG Anthony Kamanga’s remarks in an interview on Monday that his office replied to the claims and sent the response to the lawyers in February this year.

Kamanga said the case is progressing well and there has been communication between his office and the lawyers.

But Mhone said without the response from the AG, the case would not move forward.

Said Mhone: “The case is straight forward and government has to pay Banda’s family the benefits. If the response from the AG is unsatisfactory, the family can sue government. Without a response, however, the family cannot map a way forward into the case.

“The family is yet to get the value of the claims which is expected to be communicated in the awaited response.”