The centre cannot hold. President Peter Mutharika’s youthful cabinet minister Chimwemwe Chipungu was exposed before his boss of ‘stealing’ more than K70 million meant for DPP election monitors and opposition MPs.
During a DPP caucus on Tuesday at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, most DPP MPs turned against Chipungu accusing him of ‘eating’ money meant for DPP election monitors last year and opposition MPs who were lined up to vote against the 50+1 vote in Parliament.
DPP budgeted K138 million for the payment of its election monitors during last years polls and another K200 million for both opposition and DPP MPs to vote for the 50+1 majority bill.
Tempers flared as the MPs brought the issue before Mutharika who was shocked about the issue telling the MPs that he released all the money through Chipungu as Administrative secretary for the DPP.
“Sizinafike bwana, anadya ameneyo ndi bwana Mphepo (we did not get the money, Chipingu and Francis Mphepo got the money to themselves)” shouted the MPs to the disbelief of Mutharika.
Local Government Minister Ben Phiri tried to intervene by suggesting that the issue be discussed after the caucas and not in front of Mutharika.
However the MPs shouted back saying ‘Nkhani ithere pompano’ (we need to resolve this issue now now)”
It was after some discussions that the issue was deferred to another meeting.
This did not go well with Chipungu who lashed out at his fellow MPs through a DPP MPs forum, describing them as ‘stupid’.
“Team amene mumakuwa lero,when myself and Hon Mphepo were responding to issues munali totally out of order and very disrespectful to HE.
I just woke up very well today and decided to respect the presence of HE. I dont mind u attacking me really, Iam ready at anytime to face those that feel we shud give it ago,koma pa Hon Mphepo pokha simunapange bwino!!!!,” said Chipungu on the forum.
“Exodus 23 vs 2 says do not follow the multitude in doing evil. Ku Liwonde some of u made some stupid remarks I kept quite..the line has been drawn!!!. For the few MPs omwe sanalandire their monitors money myself and Hon Mphepo did not get financial support as we declared in the presence of the financier,” explained Chipungu.
“Monitors funds (2019)in LL the two of us didnot get involved but one deputy director who messed up things with his crew. In Liwonde someone made a funny comment that funds to support Hon Chilenga’s candidature was misused.As far as I can remember Hon Jappie anabweletsa money packed in envelopes and it was him and Hon Navitcha ankagawa ku Capital Hotel ine ndinalandila nawo for sure..zinthu zinativuta Mcheka lost and some waterheaded individuals started speculating kuti Chipungu wazidya…ine zimandikhuzilapati? I know some of u who say this and the line has been drawn as said.
Let us respect each other
Good day and God bless,” fumed Chipungu.
Insiders said Chipungu has managed to position himself as the most loved boy of Mutharika and has been getting huge sums of money to distribute to DPP members but he has been keeping the money to himself.
Chipungu, who hails from Thyolo just like Mutharika, is said to be building a ‘huge’ lodge called Mazabuka Executive Lodge at Njerwa in Lilongwe along the Lilongwe-Mchinji road.
