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Lawyer says minister wrongly sued

Lawyer Patrick Ngwira, who is representing Hope Ministries and Crisis Nursery, has said Cabinet minister Grace Chiumia was wrongly sued in regard to the transaction of Mwiza Properties.

His comments come barely days after sheriffs in Mzuzu impounded property belonging to Chiumia, who is Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, for allegedly failing to settle a debt of K13 million owed to Mwiza Mkandawire.

Victim of circumstances: Chiumia
Victim of circumstances: Chiumia

The impounded property includes a sofa set, dining set and a cooker. They were confiscated from the minister’s Mzuzu residence.

But in an interview yesterday, Ngwira, who was handling the transaction on behalf of Hope Ministries, said Chiumia’s role in the transaction was that of an intermediary and that she never handled the cash.

Said Ngwira: “What happened was that Hope Ministries wanted to buy property for a locally community-based organisation, Mzuzu Crisis Nursery, and used Chisomo Garry Widow Foundation, one of whose directors is Honourable Chiumia, to facilitate the purchase.”

He said the disagreement between Hope Ministries and Mkandawire arose over the currency devaluation.

“The property in question was valued at K40 million [USD 92 000] at the time the agreement was made. Hope Ministries delayed in issuing payment and by the time they made the payment the United States dollar had weakened against the kwacha and the amount translated into K26 million, leaving a balance of K13 647 237,” said Ngwira who was dealing with Paul Heller, founder of Crisis Nursery.

He said they have since applied for a warrant of execution to the High Court to free the impounded assets.

Ngwira said upon the success of the stay order they will then commence court action for defamation against Mwiza Mkandawire.

The New York Presbyterian Church running the Hope Ministries has also cleared Chiumia in the matter.

“I am writing on behalf of the Presbytery of Northern New York regarding the transfer of property known as Mwiza Lodge. In April of 2013 it came to our knowledge that a property which would be a suitable home for the Mzuzu Crisis Nursery was for sale. After discussion and negotiations, a price of $92,000 was agreed to and we duly paid the money” said Reverend Fred Garry in a correspondence seen by The Nation.

Garry described the accusations that have been made regarding Chiumia as “patently false and shameful.”

In an interview Chiumia said she is innocent in all this issue and the truth will come out sooner.

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4 Comments

  1. So within that period the kwacha to dollar value changed from K434.78/$ to K148.34/$? Are our lawyers genuinely lawyers or liars? I would recommend that our lawyers should also learn some mathematics.

  2. Would u please post a communication from the Americans so that we read by ourselves, thank you. The Mkandawire family aren’t accusing the Minister of swindling money but asking her, since she is the intermediary, to remind the buyer(s) finish the balance of 13m. I understand as well that they agreed in Malawi Kwacha and NOT in US$. Just pay (finish) the balance and the matter will be settled.
    Heller isn’t the founder of the said organisation. Our reporter has goofed here. The names of the organisations are not correct as well. Before you report issues, please, investigate thoroughly from relevant people than just guessing.
    I wonder how come US$92000 was translated into K26m, does it mean that the Kwacha gained value massively?
    The good thing is that we don’t have evidence that the Minister squandered the funds and I personally I don’t blame her and the seller. What I appeal to the buyers is settle the balance basi. A court gwirani ntchito mwaukadaulo wanu pankhaniyi.

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