President Banda’s remarks that her female President companion, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, had advised her to stop the fight against corruption have been disowned as untrue by the state house spokesperson, Steve Nhlane.
President Banda said at a public rally that the Liberian President had cautioned her that the fight against corruption she had embarked on could be disastrous on both her life and political career but Banda had put her foot down claiming that she was doing it for the Malawian people.
However, when the Presidential press officer was pressed by the Voice of America, he indicated that the Liberian leader did not stop Banda from fighting corruption. Apparently, commentators have indicated that Banda’s remarks would have caused some rift between her and the Africa’s first female President.
While almost sounding as if she was contradicting himself, Nhlane said that President Sirleaf advised her counterpart that it was dangerous to fight corruption in an election year while at the same time he indicated that they encouraged her.
Government has gone on to say that the reporter who wrote the story, who unfortunately happens to be one belonging to the government funded Malawi News Agency (MANA) did not get the facts straight.
But, FaceofMalawi, also has it on record to having heard the President saying that she had bee warned by her Liberian counterpart to halt the fight against corruption especially in this election year as she was dealing with powerful people but her (President Banda) had said she would not stop.
