12/09/2010

http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/malawi:-former-ruling-party-woes,-money-matters-rock-malawi-media-2010091256054.html

Blantyre, Malawi - Leadership problems in the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and money matters fought for headlines in the Malawi media this week. 'Task Force Seals UDF Headquarters' and 'Jumbe Should Resign' were the headlines in The Nation and the Daily Times respectively, chronicling dramatic events that rocked the former ruling UDF of former president Bakili Muluzi this week.

'The task force and UDF membership across the country are tired and will not wa tch these two leaders sit back without making any effort to revamp the party,' The Nation said, quoting UDF Task Force leader Ken Msonda as explaining why the group was asking for the head of acting president Friday Jumbe and Secretary General Kennedy Makw angwala.

On its part, the Daily Times quoted Msonda as further explaining that Makwangwal a has performed dismally as Chief Executive of the party by only harvesting a measly 17 seats in the 193-member Parliament during the 2009 elections and 47 in 2004, while his predecessors - the late Edward Bwanali and the late Willie Katenga Kaunda - scooped 85 in 199 4 and 122 respectively.

But the beleaguered UDF leadership came guns blazing to counter the break-away group.

Under the headline 'UDF Disowns Task Force', the Daily Times reported that the ruling politburo of the UDF has declared that the task force is not recognised by the party's constitution.

Further, under the headline 'Jumbe Drags UDF Task Force to Court', the Weekend Nation reported that the acting president has gone to court to seek an injunction to prevent task force members from trespassing at the party's offices or transacting business in the name of the party.

Financial issues also saw light on the front pages of Malawi media this week.

'Bingu Declares War on Money Laundering,' the tri-weekly Guardian newspaper reported on an Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESSAMALG) meeting in the capital, Lilongwe, where President Bingu wa Muth arika declared that 'money laundering is white collar corruption and a threat which adversely affects economic development.'

Also, under the headline 'War on Money Laundering On', the Daily Times quoted Mutharika as describing money launderers as 'criminals' who 'enter and take refuge in our countries through investments in commercial banks, donations, sponsorship of charities and establishment of non-governmental organisations'.

'Relatives Fear Missing MCA Student Is Dead' was the chilling headline in the scandal sheet, The Weekend Times, reporting on a month-long investigation in the missing 25-year-old pregnant Zimbabwean accoun tancy student.

The weekly quoted Linda Gasa's relations as saying her married boyfriend - Misozi Charles Chantunya - took the young woman to a resort town to discuss her pregnancy which he wanted to be terminated.

The week ended with a surprise story of a highly respected former finance minister who was reportedly facing a corruption probe.

'ACB Probes Goodall' was the headline in the Weekend Nation, reporting on the Anti-Corruption Bureau's probe of former Local Government Minister Goodall Gondwe.

The corruption-busting body was reportedly investigating how Gondwe procured fer tiliser in the famed farm input subsidy programme when he was finance minister i n 2005.