Former Malawi president Joyce Banda has indicated that she still has some personal belongings at Sanjika and Kamuzu palaces and has since asked to claim them back.
Banda, through former Director of Household, Cecilia Kumpukwe, has written the government requesting the removal of the items from the palaces.
Her Public Relations Officer, Andekuche Chanthunya, confirmed the development.
“I can confirm that Mrs Cecelia Kumpukwe wrote a memo to the Chief Secretary (Willie Samute) as former head of household requesting that State House should allow the former President to collect some of her personal belongings which she was not able to collect when she was leaving.
However Chanthunya argues that the State House should have provided security for them when they get back their ‘belongings’ at the palaces should concerns of security be a matter at heart.
But government through Presidential Press Secretary, Frederick Ndala suspect’s foul play saying the call has come after three months something which is surprising.
“It’s now two and a half months and State House has not come forth despite numerous telephone reminders,” Chanthunya said.
Kumpukwe’s memo is dated August 12, 2014.
In the memo, Kumpukwe says Banda’s personal belongings currently at the state residences include one container at Sanjika palace containing assorted medical equipment and assorted personal items such as linen and various family collections from Kamuzu palace.
“The items were not collected due to delay in the provision of transport to ferry the items and also bureaucracy in the security clearances. I will therefore be grateful if the State Residences can avail the personal effects to the residence of the former president or allow access staff of the former president to identify the said items,” reads the memo dated 12 August 2014.
Commenting on the matter the Presidential Press Secretary, Fredrick Ndala, said the request has come after three months, something which he described as an issue that needs consultations with the right people.
“I need to consult with the Director of State Residences (Peter Mukhito) on whether the said items were found at the time President Peter Mutharika was moving in. It is almost three months since they vacated State House. It would be inappropriate to grant them access to State House for purposes of searching for the personal effects,” Ndala said.
