Joyce Banda covers up her bribery campaign

Malawi President Joyce Mtila Banda on Thursday scrambled on the platform to avoid an international embarrassment when she personally stopped Director of Ceremonies Wellington Kuntaja from making announcements of her usual financial hand-outs to people who dance and take part at all her political rallies.

There was going to be a huge embarrassment because Malawi is currently hosting an international delegation that includes former Presidents of Ireland and Lativia among many others. The delegation was in attendance at a heavily politicised Cash Transfer programme launch event at Toleza Farm in Sub-Traditional Authority Sawali in the eastern region district of Balaka.

As it has been the norm in Malawi under President Joyce Mtila Banda where political rally dancers and cheering groups receive cash hand-outs from the Malawi leader, Director of Ceremonies Wellingtone Kuntaja said at the end of the rally, “Tiyeni tsopano timvetsere mituka imene a State President apereka ku magulu awa/let’s now listen to the hand-outs that the State President has given to the following groups.”

Kuntaja did not continue with his statement as the President was seen live on national television ordering him not to make that particular announcement. It was clear the Malawi leader was avoiding an embarrassment from her guests because in their home countries presidents do not bribe political supporters in this manner.

Following her ascendancy to the presidency by accident in April, 2012 Joyce Mtila Banda has bribing voters with hand-outs ranging from maize, to flour, to fertilizers and even cash. Although there has been a public outcry for the State President to stop this behaviour, Mrs Banda has remained arrogant and vowed to continue with this uncivilised practice.