Minister of Sports Ulemu Msungama has responded to social media allegations that the Malawi government funded his air transplant in India, saying that the claims are aimed at tarnishing his image.

Msungama said this on Tuesday in Lilongwe when he addressed the media to clarify his Indian trip and the information shared related to reports making rounds on Social media.

According to Msungama, the truth of the matter is he sustained a knee injury while playing social football for Parliament team in August 2019.

He therefore added that he met an expert at ABC Clinic in the capital Lilongwe and underwent a scan in Blantyre and was referred for a specialized treatment in India.

“I consulted Parliament which liaised with Medical Aid Society of Malawi (Masm) and the trip was facilitated.

“Before my departure I sought the approval of Masm to have swellings at the back of my head removed.”

He says this is the reason why his head was bandaged.

“If I had a bandage it was because they removed a swelling at the back of my head.  It’s not like I had a hair transplant,” he said.

The Minister disclosed during the presser that he uses hair building fibers which cost not more than K20, 000. He went on to demonstrate how the chemical is used to cover gaps in the head.

Msungama says he has gone to this length disclosing his private issues to the public to counter peddlers of fake news.

“I am at pains to go this far because these issues are supposed to be private,” said the Minister.

Msungama also rebutted that pictures that have been shared on social media purportedly shot in India were taken prior to his trip.

During the briefing the Minister was flanked by Albert Mungomo, Masm’s branch manager and officials from his Ministry.