MCP explains source of new vehicles
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has justified the procurement of eight Toyota Hilux pickups and a bus, saying the fleet was bought with the proceeds from sale of land at the Lilongwe Game Complex.
The acquisition of the vehicles has raised questions of the party’s source of funding with social media awash with speculations that the party bought 50 vehicles to distribute to its structures in the country.
However, in an interview on Sunday, MCP spokesperson the Reverend Maurice Munthali said the party bought eight vehicles and a bus.
He said: “During the one party era, MCP and Press Properties Limited were one and the same until the two were delinked a year or so into the multiparty dispensation.
“After Press Properties Limited decided to sell the plot to the Game Stores, MCP sought relief and compensation over the matter through courts.
“The High Court has since ruled initially that Press Properties Limited pay the party 50 percent of what is in the account hitherto as monies realised from sale of the said plot.”
Munthali said MCP decided to acquire nine vehicles using the money and will buy more vehicles if it gets an outstanding payment.
“We feel motor vehicles are one of the party’s priority areas,” he said.
Asked on the cost of the vehicles and how much the party has benefited from the sale of the land, Munthali said they will release the details in due course.
A High Court consent order seen by The Nation also shows that MCP dragged Press Properties Limited to court and the two in April this year signed a consent order regarding proceeds of the sale of land.
MCP was to get 50 percent of the money that was in the account.
Reads the order in part: “That 50 percent of the funds in Escrow account herein as of April 1 2021 be withdrawn and paid to the claimant, Malawi Congress Party, not later than seven days from April 1 2021.”
Political parties in Malawi have for years been silent on source of funding for their activities.
However, the Political Parties Act of 2018, among others, compels political parties to disclose to the Registrar [of Political Parties] sources of their funding and any donations.
