Malawi: Sattar’s invisible hand is getting exposed…

“Vice President, Saulos Chilima, former ACB director, Reyneck Matemba, police IG George Kainja, lawyer, Mwambi Kaluba and government procurement chairperson, John Suzi Banda, have been named in court affidavits in the Zuneth Sattar case as suspected beneficiaries of fraud. The affidavit in a London court, is based on what it called evidence collected to demonstrate Sattar’s influence and corruption in Malawi. President Lazarus Chakwera is not named in the affidavits but his Chief of Staff, Prince Harvey Kapondamgaga. The affidavit also provides insight into alleged corruption behind three multi-billion contracts signed with the Malawi government under both the Peter Mutharika and Lazarus Chakwera administrations between 2019 and 2021. Full story is on PIJ Malawi Facebook page” (Zodiak Online, 27.05.2022).

The man, the myth and the legend get revealed in court documents. At this point this shouldn’t shock people in Lilongwe or Blantyre. That the investor and businessman Zuneth Sattar have a web of deceit and of profit, which has been viable and possible, because of his connections over the years. That’s why his been untouchable and been able to gain such marketable and profitable enterprises in the Republic.

This is the superior grand corruption case, a state capture of which one man has influenced and enriched himself. While ensuring the greater patronage of the state has been served and gotten a piece of the pie. That’s why he hasn’t faced prosecution or legal problems in Malawi. Since, the high-ranking officials has been connected to him and earned their cut. This has not only happened in the Tonse Alliance, but also during the previous administration.

Here is on report from yesterday in connection too it:

“The Daily Times understands that Sattar approached the court to vary his bail conditions following his arrest on March 25 upon his return from Malawi. The sources told The Daily Times that lawyer from the National Crime Agency (NCA) Chris Convey told the court that Sattar had left the UK on March 11 and arrived in Malawi on March 15 where he is suspected to have contacted some of the government officials to destroy evidence and defeat the aims of justice. The source also said the lawyer further told the court that through recordings that the NCA has presented in court as part of the evidence, Sattar had interacted with at least nine government officials including one sitting Cabinet minister” (Rebecca Chimjeka – ‘Govt officials in Sattar case’ 26.05.2022, Times 360 Malawi).

We knew earlier in the year that he had suction and had vast influence since cases never gotten anywhere. The companies owned by Sattar was “untouchable” and he had powerful players within government to play along with. That is very obvious by the United Kingdom investigation and court trial. As the documents are showing how far his reach is and who he got on “speed-dial”. Just the mere reach and possibility of being in connection with such people. Shows what sort of power, greed and graft has on people.

Sattar is just showing why he never got touched in the first place. Because who would dare to double-cross a man who is in the pockets of the former President’s administration and who is in association with the Vice-President and inner circle of the current President. That’s why he had to be indicted and charged overseas. Since, they wouldn’t dare to do this in Lilongwe or in Blantyre.

No matter how you look at it. This is far from the look that President Chakwera wants or his VP Chilima. They are both connected with the case and implicated in the corruption that is investigated in the United Kingdom. That’s not what anyone wants on their name or reign.

Sattar seems to be the kingpin and the businessman who was able to run from the law in Malawi but isn’t able to do so in London. Peace

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): Memorandum to the Colonial Government of France (25.05.2022)

Malawi: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – Mr. Ken Msonda Must Always Tell the Truth (18.05.2022)

South Africa: Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) – SERI devasted by murder of Abahlali Basemjondolo’s Nokuthula Mabaso (10.05.2022)

Malawi: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – Press Statement on Mgona Rallies (04.05.2022)

Malawi: Joint CSOs Press Release – Concerns over rising incidents of Police surveilliance of private conversations and crackdown on freedoms of expression and the Press in Malawi (02.05.2022)

Opinion: Does Chakwera even govern at this point?

In Lilongwe and Blantyre the civil service and the government institutions should wonder. As the Tonse Alliance continues to reign with Reverend President Lazarus Chakwera as the Head of State. Nevertheless, he is very little or not noteworthy time in office. As the President and Executive his either on “Crop Tour” looking at the fields and farms of the Republic. If not his busy holding speeches and rallies in the towns or municipalities after this. The last thing he does is travelling abroad and being a representative for the nation at International Conferences.

Chakwera is so busy and looks like he avoids the State House. It looks like he avoids looking at the documents and actually running the nation. Maybe he has given the reigns to Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima. The VP has been Minister in the previous government from 2014 to May 2019. Where he was first the Minister Responsible for Public Events and Disaster Management and later the Minister for Civil Service. That’s why he has experience while Chakwera was a loud-mouth opposition figure and a voice of reason in the previous term.

It really is weird seeing how the President travels in the huge convoy from one part of the Republic to another. As he looks and gazes out on the fields. Ensuring the maize and other cash crops are growing as it should. The Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe MP should feel humiliated and betrayed by this. The President is on a daily inspecting the work done in his portfolio and checking if the state is sufficiently supporting the farmers. That got to sting. It is not like the President is going and inspecting road-works, construction sites or even popping by government offices. No, the photo-ops are by a field or in a field. As he gets the right angle and looks smooth as ever.

Chakwera is seemingly happy being a vagabond and a fellow traveller. His not concerned with the day-to-day operation. Seemingly the VP and the ones left behind the capital has to deal with that. While he continues touring with his entourage and gets to see the whole nation.

We know that Joyce Banda and Kamuzu Banda did this too, but still we are in 2022. Couldn’t the man give incentive and directives, which the Minister could follow-up upon or have revisions of budgets or allocations to the Ministry of Agriculture to make a difference. Because, at this point… it seems like campaigning in the middle of the term and not governing.

There is even talks that these trips or tours are draining or paralysing government. Meaning it is costly and burdening the state. Instead of actually achieve anything. His overburdening it and stopping progress. The state is at a standstill and it doesn’t help that so many government officials has to attend at any given time.

Which means the President isn’t only holding up his office and lack of duty. No, his taking other Ministries, other Permanent Secretaries and Government Officials on these field trips or crop tours. In such a manner that they have to cease work and speak of what they see. Point at maze, gaze at the fields and wonder “what the hell are we doing?”. Because, that should be on all their minds.

Because, the state is covering the travel expenses, food-costs and lodging. The state is paying for the security details and other expenses on these here crop inspections. While the offices of the government officials are laying idle. Work are left behind and things are not being done. Since you cannot study the growth of maize and fix whatever protocol you left behind. Neither can reports, statements or any official memorandum being written. When they are looking at the crop and thinking to themselves: “Is this edible or is it not?” or “Is this fully grown or this to green?”. That’s maybe fun for a minute, but it’s not ensuring the government is running smoothly.

No, this is expensive and lack of concern for the day-to-day operation of the government. The President should be worried. As his wasting valuable time for not only himself, but anyone else who has to attend. This not making things better, but only an escapism, because the President is maybe clueless about his job. That’s why his leaving his office and prefers being sociable across the nation.

Since it seems that his to restless and isn’t worried about how the government is run. To the contrary he trusts the VP to fill in his boots and do his bidding in his stead. Since his to busy looking at produce and speaking at functions across the Republic. Peace.

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Malawi: Malawi Police Service Fighting Corruption within its ranks (14.04.2022)