Atupele attacks Chilima, Chakwera on MK9 billion legal fees

Runningmate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) Atupele Muluzi has queried the MK9 billion legal fees that Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and its bedfellow United Transformation Movement (UTM) are demanding as costs for the presidential elections case.

MCP President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and UTM President Dr. Saulos Chilima dragged Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and President Peter Mutharika seeking nullification of the May 21, 2019 presidential polls.

The constitutional Court on February 3, 2020 nullified the polls and asked MEC to pay for all costs anchored by MCP and UTM in the case.

Not satisfied with the ruling, MEC and Mutharika appealed the case to the Supreme Court where it was dismissed against with costs.

Speaking at Euthini in Mzimba, Atupele said the demand is “pure theft, and if they truly love the country, let the opposition pay their lawyers using personal money.”

Muluzi, who came fourth during the 2019 presidential vote, still claims that President Peter Mutharika won the elections.

Atupele is in the north campaigning for UDF-DPP alliance.