MALAWI- Joyce Banda former president of Malawi will return to her native country on Saturday after spending more than three years in self imposed exile after graft allegations were put against her, her spokesperson for her political part confirmed this.
A corruption scandal, nicknamed Cashgate revealed in 2013 that senior government transferred illegally millions of dollars from state accounts under her presidency. After news surfaced, donor countries cut off aid which the developing country Malawi badly needs, as it is one of the world’s poorest and most aid-dependent countries.
Banda was the first female president, she would later lose the elections a year later to Peter Mutharika, as she was facing allegations of abuse of office and money laundering, which she denied, left the country, and did not return since.
People’s Party deputy spokesman, Ackson Kaliyile said, “I can confirm that as a party we have received communication from the office of the former president that she arrives back in Malawi on Saturday to stay.”
In July 2017 Banda the police issued a warrant of arrest, the arrest was in relation to the allegations from Cashgate.
Early this year the Anti-Corruption Bureau said they had no solid evidence against her, partly clearing her of wrongdoing. However the police have not say publicly say if they have dropped the charges. The police said they will make no further comments until Banda returns to the country.
Photo Credit- AFP
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