JB threatens to shame State coffers’ looters

Malawi President Joyce Banda has threatened to disclose those who looted State coffers before she assumed office on April 7.

Banda ascended to the high office following the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika and inherited an ailing economy characterised by shortage of fuel and forex.

Speaking at Mangochi Boma where she opened a K155 million (about $620 000) market, Banda asked for Malawians’ patience, saying the decisions, including the devaluation of the kwacha, her administration took is a bitter pill to swallow.

“The coffers were dry. If they continue to castigate me, I will soon be left with no other option, but to mention names to shame them,” said Banda without making particular reference to individuals.

She, however, promised that the economy will soon be on track.

Banda also declared that Mangochi will be recognised as a town. She also elevated Traditional Authority Mponda to senior chief.

The President disclosed that her government system has discovered a racket by some civil servants who were creating ghost villages to benefit from the Farm Input Subsidy Programme.

The programme this year is targeting 1.4 million from 1.3 beneficiaries.

Earlier, Minister of Local Government Grace Maseko said government is committed to providing better places for doing business; hence, it has lined up several markets for construction.

UDF MP for Mangochi Central Clement Chiwaya, in whose area the market is located, asked government to upgrade Mangochi to a city because elsewhere cities are built near water bodies such as lakes.

The Mangochi market was gutted by fire in 2007.