Cashgate disheartening, filthy—Mafunde

The Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (Mafunde) has described the looting of government coffers at Capital Hill, the seat of government, as heartless and filthy, but also unprecedented in the history of Malawi.

Mafunde chairperson Ben Kautsire said the party takes exception to the allegations that the looted funds benefited the People’s Party (PP) of President Joyce Banda.

He made the remarks at a press briefing in Blantyre on Tuesday.

“If these allegations were true, we would seriously urge the prosecuting authorities to ensure that the People’s Party (PP), as a legal entity and beneficiary of the looting, should also be charged and tried together with its secretary general and president of the party.

“If found guilty, all the stolen funds or property that was acquired using these funds should be confiscated. Therefore, on a guilty verdict, the party should be de-registered and the executive members banned from holding public offices in Malawi,” said Kautsire.

Mafunde president George Nnensa expressed concern that cashgate suspects have not appeared in court to be prosecuted and blamed the PP for playing delaying tactics.

“Some of these cases are straightforward. We suspect PP is playing delaying tactics,” said Nnensa.

Mafunde has, meanwhile, announced that it will hold its convention on January 30 in Blantyre as it prepares for the May 20 polls.