Nankhumwa now among top 5 cash-rich Malawi ministers: Distribute ambulance, motorcycle and bicycles worth over K25 mil to constituents in Mulanje
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kondwani Nankhumwa is reported to have amassed more wealth in the last two years and is amongst top five richest ministers in the cabinet of President Peter Mutharika giving him more political stamina to hold the balance of power and fend off challengers in Mulanje Central Constituency where he is a member of parliament.
In flamboyant way, the cash-rich minister spent over K25 million giving cash handouts an ambulance to Mulanje district hospital, two motor cycles to Police station in Mulanje and 300 bicycles to the people in his constituency.
“Nankhumwa is among the wealthiest ministers in cabinet,” informed a ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) official at the rally where Nankhumwa was distributing the items.
The extent of his current wealth is unknown as he is said to be secretive on his assets and his financial affairs.
“But clearly we know Nankhumwa has made more money and is amongst top five ministers swimming in wealth and power,” added the DPP officials as Nankhumwa was busy splashing cash to constituency after carrying bundles of Kwachas in a briefcase.
He is suspected to be among the seven rotten ministers in cabinet who are fingered in ‘Cashgate’ scam.
The minister was also implicated in the aborted a multimillion dollar military equipment procurement deal worth $54 million in which Nankhumwa and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) commander Griffin Supuni Phiri planned to procure 500 vehicles from Ashok Leyland for the MDF reportedly without the matter being discussed within the MDF ranks.
The details of the deal are contained in a leaked memo written by former MDF general Maulana dated July 2016 reference number CQ/206.
Running under the headline ‘Procurement of ammunition and vehicles for Malawi Defence Force’, the memo says Nankhumwa and Supuni made an arrangement to procure vehicles for MDF and the matter was not discussed anywhere within MDF.
Nankhumwa has since come under intense fire to explain the source of his multimillion donations to his Mulanje Central constituency.
Some Malawians have taken up on Twitter and Facebook to question the source of the money for the donation.
This comes at a time when his colleague, Agriculture minister George Chaponda who is also parliamentarian in same Mulanje district is accused of corruption in the procurement of 100000 metric tonnes of maize.
The Peter Mutharika administration is tainted with corruption scandals.
Nankhumwa, who is also director of elections in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party has not responded to queries about his sudden wealth.
He was a reporter at the state controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation before he took politics as a career.
But speaking to a crowd of DPP supporters who gathered at Chisitu Primary school in his Mulanje central constituency, the cash-rich minister said he decided to donate the items to ease mobility challenges for the smooth implementation of development activities in the area.
“I want people in my area to access medical services in time as well as the Police to act swiftly to situations affecting people in my constituency,” said Nankhumwa.
He also said he has the financial muscle to start looking after orphans and the elderly in the area to improve their livelihoods.
Senior Chief Chikumbu thanked the parliamentarian for initiating various development activities citing a newly constructed maternity clinic at Chisitu Health Centre.
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A Malawi nsanje monga national anthem yathu imakambila.There is nothing wrong with the Minister donating an ambulance or bicycles to his area and to be asking for a source of his wealth when he is working and also gets allowances whenever he travels shows ignorance on the part of those querying. Simple calculations will show you that it is not beyond reach for a Minister who is also an MP to raise such money.Tatiyeni tisiye nsanje ndi kaduka and applaud those that are doing great things to develop their areas and uplift the lives of their people. Bravo Kondwani Nankhumwa,dont… Read more »
Pajatu zakuba zimazelezeketsa. Analipo anzao amgulira mowa bara yonse pa mount soche, lero kwao ndi ku court. Nanga kugula njingazo mpaka 300? I smell a rat…….. Only time will tell.
Malawians – Anyone should bring forward any evidence to ACB or any court of law that Nankhumwa stole money so that trial should be commenced as soon as possible, otherwise we should stop nurturing this lazy attitude instilled in most of Malawians by the late Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda
Bring the evidence to us the ACB or High court now!!, otherwise you will die poor thinking all those that prosper steal money from somewhere
Envy too much Malawians – ndikuchita manyazi ine m’Chewa wa kwa Msakambewa (Dowa)
Mwanayu anagwetsa Mpinganjira asanakhale ndi ndalama, komanso anali kunja kwa Boma. The guy aims to secure the constituency seat not the presidency. So, how much you can talk against him it will not have any negative impact on him. His constituents are a happy lot and they are ready to vote for him in 2019. Wise MPs should this time do something in their constituencies if they want to retain their seats in 2019. Nankhumwa is just doing that. The beneficiaries of Nankhumwa’s move are his constituents so I see no need for other people to talk bad of his… Read more »
this is dirty money stolen from the people and invested in narcotics
Malawians – we voted for MPs and Councillors to develop our areas. Why is it always an issue when one MP / Councillor is doing so for his area?. Jealous a Malawi. I know it is lateDr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda who made us not to believe that a fellow Malawian can prosper beyond recognition among us – he killed our mind set and this continues to destroy our nation. When Burundians and Indians prosper its ok, BUT when a Malawian prospers then it becomes an issue. Burundians ran away from their mother country in search of refuge in Malawi and… Read more »
There is no problem for Nankhumwa to distribute bikes and an ambulance, this very good and commendable bravo!!!!
However if this is money syphoned from public coffers or brown envelopes for awarding contracts, then this is deplorable and shameful and he should be investigated and locked up if he is guilty
Ndalama ndi izo kaya ndi zakuba kaya ayi. Muwauze a Minister ka GYM aziyeselako pang’ono. Masitepesi omwewa a pa Mount Soche befu.
Minister uyu ndalama zina amatenga ku Macra kwa Itaye. Mukamafufuza yambilani pamenepo ndithu mupeza umboni. Dziko lathu lomvetsa chisoni tikuwombela mmanja satana.
If he did’n’t steal, where did he get all that money? Does he own mine fields? How old is he? Has he a family depending on him? How long has he been to school? How long did it take him to tape all that wealth? Guys, lets be frank, some doubious business behind the tycoon! There are some endless queries behind to be answered!
Malawians, let us give credit where it is due. The Honourable Minister has done a commendable job to alleviate transport problems in his area. It is not fair to conclude that he used money that he obtained fraudulently unless there is concrete evidence or unless he was convicted by a competent court of law. The Minister may have had a long term plan of making this donation, and may have worked so hard to raise money in an honest way to fulfill his plan. Under the Constitution, everyone has the right to participate in economic activities and to own property… Read more »