About 59 people from Lilongwe South East Constituency have given their member of Parliament (MP) Willard Gwengwe seven days to produce a statement on how he used K108 million development funds for the constituency or face court action.
In a letter to Gwengwe, through lawyer Eric Salima, the people claim that from 2012 to 2018, the MP received the money meant for development activities but they claim there are no development projects to show for it.
The letter, dated September 14, reads in part: “Our clients do state that from the year 2012 to the year 2018, in your capacity as member of Parliament for the above-mentioned constituency, you received a total sum of K108 000 000 or thereabout from the Malawi Government which was meant for development activities. To our clients’ surprise, there has been no activity done in their area. You are, therefore, asked to produce a statement of account detailing how this money was used.”
In an interview yesterday, Salima confirmed writing the letters saying his clients are awaiting Gwengwe’s response before they take any court action.e
He said: “We have delivered the letter, and we are waiting for him to respond. There are 59 people who have complained and these include ADC [Area Development Committee] members and group village heads. We haven’t filed a court complaint yet.”
But when contacted, Gwengwe laughed off the matter, saying it is the work of his enemies who want his downfall.
He said: “I have received the letter. Let them do what they want to do. How can someone eat all that money alone when it is the ADC chairpersons who prepare budgets and identify development projects that need to be undertaken? I am innocent. Let them do what they want. The evidence is there, so let them go ahead.”
Gwengwe added he is not afraid of any court injunctions because he followed the right procedure and the reports that people want are with the ADC members.
