Malawi's Muluzi 'stole' $12m
2005-10-19 13:29
Blantyre - A senior official from Malawi's former ruling party said ex-president Bakili Muluzi channelled $12m of funds into his personal account, said a daily on Wednesday.
Leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF), George Mtafu, was quoted: "These are donations which were partly used in elections last year."
The director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Gustave Kaliwo said Muluzi, who was head of state from 1994 to May of last year, was to undergo questioning next Monday in connection with the probe.
Investigators were looking into allegations that Muluzi, who had business interests in real estate, media, transport and retail sales, pocketed nearly $12m between April 1999 and November 2004.
Anti-Corruption Bureau
However, Mtafu said: "Under the laws of Malawi, it is not an offence to receive donations ... it is only when public money has been stolen."
Mtafu, a close aide to the retired president, was reacting after the Anti-Corruption Bureau said it was investigating Muluzi for alleged corruption involving millions of dollars received from Taiwan, Libya, Morocco and other donors.
Mtafu said: "My worry is that there is an intentional sniffing into private accounts and the resurrected harassment of the former head of state."
Foreign organisations
According to a letter sent to the former president, the anti-corruption bureau had summoned Muluzi "to answer questions and produce all original documents or certified true copies of documents in his possession or under his control.
"He should do that in respect of transactions he had with the Republic of China (Taiwan), Libya, Morocco, Rwanda and some foreign organisations".
The corruption probe against Muluzi came as his party was spearheading a drive in parliament to impeach his successor, President Bingu wa Mutharika, for allegedly violating the constitution.
Mutharika, Muluzi's chosen successor, angered Muluzi by severing ties with the former ruling party, which fielded him as the winning presidential candidate and setting up his own party and then targeting Muluzi and his aides in a sweeping anti-corruption drive.