PP faults APM Cashgate remarks

The erstwhile ruling People’s Party (PP) has hit back at President Peter Mutharika for declaring that his administration will only prosecute Cashgate cases that happened during the orange camp’s two-year rule.

PP argues in a statement released yesterday that this “holier-than-thou and blame-game attitude’ is very disappointing, more especially that it is coming from the Head of State who is supposed to show his sense of maturity and responsibility in commenting on these issues”.

Speaking at Habitat ground in Mzuzu on Thursday after touring feeder roads in the city, Mutharika seemingly denied that there has ever been Cashgate on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP’s) watch, including during the rule of his  brother Bingu wa Mutharika.

The President said he is aware that his government is accused of being the most corrupt in Malawi’s history and that it is selective in dealing with Cashgate cases.

Said Mutharika:”I know my government is being accused that it’s the most corrupt government in the history of this country, but I don’t think so. There was Cashgate and we are doing our best to make sure that we take care of Cashgate cases, some are saying we are selective, that we are targeting people of a certain political party.

“The truth of the matter is that when Cashgate happened, there was a particular political party that was involved with some business people and civil servants in corruption.  So I have to go after those people. I can’t go after United Democratic Front (UDF), DPP or Malawi Congress Party (MCP) just to make sure that I am not being selective.”

The remarks, have not gone well with Orange Partners, an arm of the PP, which argues that Cashgate begun long time go including during the time of late  Bingu.

The Partners’ national coordinator, who is also PP administrative secretary, Joseph Chikwemba said in a statement that Malawians are aware of public looting taking place currently under Mutharika’s watch.

Argued Chikwemba: “Mutharika should be reminded that almost 20 people died during July 20 2011 anti-government demonstrations and one of the issues presented in the petition was to do with corruption (Cashgate). Malawians are not fools, they are aware how Joyce Banda reacted to reports that some overzealous members of PP together with some business gurus were involved in corruption.

PP has since challenged Mutharika to deal with corruption without fear or favour. n