Arrest warrant issued for Joyce Banda
Malawi Police Service (MPS) say they have secured a warrant of arrest from the court for former President Joyce Banda in relation to her alleged involvement in cashgate.
National Police publicist James Kadadzera confirmed the development in an interview today. He said the arrest warrant was issued in February 2017.
However, People’s Party (PP) acting president Uladi Mussa said the party was not aware of the existence of the arrest warrant against their leader, who is currently in self-imposed exile.
Earlier in the day, the National Police Press and Public Relations Office issued a statement, which was signed by Kadadzera himself, stating that the police unearthed credible evidence against Banda’s involvement in abuse of office and money-laundering cases.
“As the nation is aware, some Malawians have been asking questions on what the Malawi Police Service is doing on the suspected involvement of the former President of the Republic of Malawi, Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda, in ‘cashgate’ cases.
“The Malawi Police Service wishes to inform Malawians that its Fiscal and Fraud Section conducted some investigations on the suspected involvement of the former President in cashgate cases and unearthed credible evidence. The evidence gathered raises reasonable suspicion that the former President committed offences relating to abuse of office and money laundering,” reads the statement in part.
But when asked why it had taken the police this long to effect or announce the existence of the arrest warrant, Kadadzera said the Fiscal and Fraud Section was still conducting investigations to ascertain Banda’s involvement in cashgate-related cases.
He further disclosed that because Banda is in self-imposed exile, the Malawi Police have notified International Police (Interpol) member states about the existence of this warrant of arrest.
He expressed optimism that the member states would cooperate and help in tracking her down and get her extradited to Malawi to face the charges in court.
“The evidence gathered raises reasonable suspicion that the former President committed offences relating to abuse of office and money laundering. This warrant of arrest is in force and necessary legal formalities are being pursued,” explains the statement.
It adds that the ‘public interest that cashgate cases have generated’ necessitated them to announce the existence of the warrant.
“It is not the standard practice for the Malawi Police Service to make known to the public the fact that a warrant of arrest is in force against on an individual,” it says.
In reaction, Mussa feared the development could be motivated by something else other than her involvement in the cashgate.
“I cannot comment much. But I think they (Police) are basing this on hearsay from those already arrested and are now serving jail terms. Everything needs evidence before arresting someone,” he said.
And about time too! She’s crooked to the bone. Every Malawian knows that.
Amwene Kodi why Chapanda akubvuta kumangidwa.. ?where is justice in malawi ..? I don’t understand chaponda adawotcha nyimba yaboma koma hes still here not arrested…. Kodwani nankhumwa he didn’t sent chibwezi kukatenga money from MRA he was no arrested is still free… MALAWIANS Please where is justice impartialy… Now mayi Banda mufuna amangidwe .. aaaaah wina adzalowa adzakumanganiso Bola MCP idzawine sure….
DPP ikuwopa MCP .. boma lalakwitsa likupangitsa kuti anthu akhale nd chisoni ndi amayi kuti muwazuza … nde zidapangika ngi Bingu zija izi.. lets wait and see… mumangesotu KONDWANI NANKHUMWA .. NDI CHAPONDA
You do remember Chaponda was arrested abd released on bail, and WILL go on trial. The same will happen to JB. Penapaketu kumamvetsa how these things work before posting half-cocked opinions
Just yesterday we heard from APM that he has no issues with Amayi and that she can come back home from her self imposed exile any time becoz she will not be arrested. Was that a joke then from the big kahuna?
I have no problems if Amayi get arrested for the crimes she committed during her time in office but lets take politics out of this….
I don’t think that the statement made by APM yesterday was just a mere coincident and therefore every sensible Malawian can think that this case is politically motivated.
And don’t pretend that there is police independence in Malawi, APM knew that the police were about to announce about the arrest warrant period.
It is now clear that DDP want to annihilate PP once and for all…… we have the PP acting president with another politically motivated case to answer about passports and now this…….
Let them conclud the Muluzi case first. This is taking us for granted. Unless the Muluzi case is concluded can these guys show us their seriousness in tackling corruption. Let them charge Bingu posthumously for amassing wealth in a short period. From a rickety minibus in 2003 to the richest person on the land. Politicians will never stop amazing me.