Editors PickNational News

DPP mum on threats, Bingu wealth

Late former president Bingu wa Mutharika
Late former president Bingu wa Mutharika

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has put its tail between legs after failing to fulfil the threats it made in Lilongwe last Thursday.

During a news conference in Lilongwe last Thursday, DPP disputed the reported K61 billion (about $152m) wealth accumulated by former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika and threatened to take to court newspapers.

The party gave the media and government-hired assessor Yeremiah Chihana a five-day ultimatum to provide evidence, apologise or be sued.

Party spokesperson Nicholas Dausi, secretary general Jean Kalirani, party leader in Parliament George Chaponda and legislator Kondwani Nakhumwa tried to defuse the air surrounding Mutharika’s wealth by claiming that the figure was exaggerated. They, however, failed to disclose how much Mutharika, who in 2004 declared his wealth at K150 million (about $375 000), accumulated while in office.

The deadline passed on Wednesday, but no summons has been served on the threatened parties.

When asked on the position of the lawsuits, Dausi said: “I need to consult on that one because I am in Mwanza. I will come back to you once I consult.”

But Chancellor College-based political analyst Mustafa Hussein said on Wednesday DPP seems to be backtracking on their earlier threats because it has realised the mistake it made for organising the press conference.

“They have realised that Bingu’s wealth is not a party issue and there is need for demarcation. They might have consulted and have been told that they might not succeed in any legal proceedings,” said Hussein.

Mutharika died of cardiac arrest in April last year.

Related Articles

Back to top button