According to an AFP report, Malawi’s President Joyce Banda has received death threats since the uncovering of a high-level fraud scandal that forced her to dissolve the Cabinet, the country’s information minister said.
“President Banda has been receiving death threats. Some of the threats have come from outside the country,” Minister of Information and Civic Education Brown Mpinganjira told state radio on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference Mpinganjira said president Banda is receiving death threats from unknown people following the intensive investigations over looting at government offices dubbed ‘Capital Hill’.
He said police were investigating the threats.
“As of now, I cannot say much as regards the death threats, because doing so will hinder investigations as well will give room to the people involved in this to have ideas on how to hide and escape,” Mupinganjira was quoted by Malawi News Agency.
He added that some well wishers are giving information about the plot that some people are planning to have the President killed over her bold decision to arrest the culprits who are involved in public funds looting.
On October 10, Her Excellency Banda dissolved her Cabinet over a graft scandal dubbed the Capital Hill cash-gate, where top official are suspected of swindling more than $3-million from state treasury.
Mpinganjira, referring to threats said,”It all shows how serious the battle against fraud and corruption is.”
Two weeks ago, a budget director in the ministry of finance, Paul Mphwiyo, who had been investigating a fraud ring accused of siphoning millions of dollars from the state was shot dead outside his home.
Joyce Banda, who is the country’s first female president, came to power in 2012 after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika.
Prosecutors estimate that as much as one-third of the impoverished country’s revenue is lost to fraud and corruption-linked payouts.
AFP reports that about 40% of Malawi’s national budget comes from aid and some countries have repeatedly voiced concern over corruption.
The European Union has threatened to suspend aid to Malawi after the scandal and Norway has frozen funding.
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