JB vows fearless crackdown on graft in Malawi: ‘Even if it means killing me’
President Joyce Banda says she will continue fighting against public funds embezzlement with an iron fist although this would mean losing her life.
Speaking when she addressed a developmental rally in traditional authority Nthache’s area in Mwanza, President Banda said she will stand by the truth in observing tenets of good governance of accountability and transparency without fear .
“No one should threaten me or even if it means killing, you will kill me but I will not allow anyone exploiting the rural people through plundering of public finances,” she said.
Her statement came after she dismissed her entire cabinet following pressure from donor partners, civic society organizations and media to act on some cabinet ministers who were implicated on the ongoing plundering of public money at the Account General’s Office.
“As political leaders we should be speaking with one voice in guiding against the siphoning of money from government coffers and those running Trusts and NGOs should also be accountable and transparent to those they claim to serve,” she said.
“When drugs are being stolen in public hospitals and when government money is being abused, is means those in the act are stealing from you and as political leaders whom you elected into office have the responsibility to speak with one voice condemning the behaviour as the issues at hand are not political but national,” said the Malawi leader.
She said protection of public coffers and resources was not a single man’s responsibility urging all responsible Malawians to join the fight.
The Malawi Leader said: “I cannot indulge in this fight alone. I ask all of you to this straggle against this unfortunate behaviour. All good willing country men should come out and assist.”
