Government has condemned former president Joyce Banda for making what it says are false allegations that Malawi is doctoring figures of COVID-19 positive cases and politicising the issue.

Minister of Information Mark Botomani on Tuesday responded to the claims saying: “Its sad that a person of her calibre can be peddling such lies.”

Malawi Congress Party and UTM Party were last week stopped from holding sensitisation meetings without consulting Ministry of Health.

They have since been cleared after they met the health officials and MCP president Lazarus Chakwera has since embarked on donating assorted preventive products.

Banda’s emphasis was monetary saying Malawi is missing out on the list of countries to benefit from the USD$111 million International Disaster Assistance funding.

She said Malawians are at great risk because the government is not prepared nor is it giving the nation proper updates adding that the written information packs it is providing are selective as ‘half’ of the people in the country do not have access.

Botomani speaking to state broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC) said government is serious in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government spokesperson explained that the establishment of the cabinet committee on COVID19 and setting up of laboratories in various regions is a true sign of how the government is trying to protect its citizens.

He also pointed out screening of people in all entry points and closing off borders are all measure which the government is taking.

Government records show that Malawi is yet to record any case virus