Banda’s back
Barely back on home soil, Joyce Banda, former Malawian president, addressed a rally yesterday.
Malawi's former president, Joyce Banda, returned home on Saturday after four years of self-imposed exile, despite facing the threat of arrest over corruption allegations.
Banda, 68, fled the country in 2014 when she lost power after being embroiled in the so-called Cashgate scandal, in which government officials siphoned off millions of dollars of public money.
Banda - only the second woman to lead a country in Africa - arrived at Blantyre's airport on a flight from Johannesburg around midday on Saturday, where she was greeted by hundreds of supporters of her People's Party, said an AFP journalist at the scene.
"Mother is here, the lights should come back", the crowd chanted.
No police were present as she left the plane.
"I thank God and will continue thanking God for your love and support," Banda said.
"I did not know that our party still commands such power as I have seen today: I'm back and for political rallies, we will be meeting out there in the locations," she added, without clearly spelling out her political ambitions.
Possible deal
Her spokesperson Andekunye Chanthunya had earlier said she would head straight to her home at Domasi in Zomba, about 80 kilometres away. She addressed a political rally on Sunday.
"I am happy that she is back to her home... now we are confident that she will help us solve some of our problems," said Mercy Kambudzi, 61.
"Look at all these people, they are happy that our saviour is here," she said, referring to the crowd at the airport.
Local media have reported a possible deal between President Peter Mutharika and Banda ahead of next year's elections.
Banda founded the People's Party (PP) in 2011 after splitting from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is led by Mutharika.
"She remains the head of the PP. The question of whether she wants to contest for the presidency or not will be answered in due course, but we may get an idea of how she is thinking," Banda's spokesperson told AFP.
Wallace Chawawa, a PP lawmaker said: "This will definitely rejuvenate the party... The vacuum has been filled."
Government coffers emptied
Police spokesperson James Kaledzera has declined to say if Banda would be arrested, though he confirmed that a warrant issued last July remained valid.
Earlier this year, the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said it had no solid evidence against the former president, partially clearing her name.
The "Cashgate" scandal prompted foreign donors - who provide around 40% of Malawi's budget - to pull the plug on aid worth around US$150 million.
Ministers, civil servants and businessmen are accused of pocketing money from government coffers through ghost companies which did not provide any services to the state.
The biggest financial scandal in Malawi's history helped push Banda out of power in the 2014 election, and Mutharika vowed to clean up the system to bring donors back.
The graft started in 2005, and more than US$30 million was looted within only six months in 2013 shortly before it was uncovered, according to an independent audit.
Malawi, one of the world's poorest and aid-dependent countries, will hold presidential, parliamentary and council elections in May 2019.
NAMPA/AFP
Banda, 68, fled the country in 2014 when she lost power after being embroiled in the so-called Cashgate scandal, in which government officials siphoned off millions of dollars of public money.
Banda - only the second woman to lead a country in Africa - arrived at Blantyre's airport on a flight from Johannesburg around midday on Saturday, where she was greeted by hundreds of supporters of her People's Party, said an AFP journalist at the scene.
"Mother is here, the lights should come back", the crowd chanted.
No police were present as she left the plane.
"I thank God and will continue thanking God for your love and support," Banda said.
"I did not know that our party still commands such power as I have seen today: I'm back and for political rallies, we will be meeting out there in the locations," she added, without clearly spelling out her political ambitions.
Possible deal
Her spokesperson Andekunye Chanthunya had earlier said she would head straight to her home at Domasi in Zomba, about 80 kilometres away. She addressed a political rally on Sunday.
"I am happy that she is back to her home... now we are confident that she will help us solve some of our problems," said Mercy Kambudzi, 61.
"Look at all these people, they are happy that our saviour is here," she said, referring to the crowd at the airport.
Local media have reported a possible deal between President Peter Mutharika and Banda ahead of next year's elections.
Banda founded the People's Party (PP) in 2011 after splitting from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is led by Mutharika.
"She remains the head of the PP. The question of whether she wants to contest for the presidency or not will be answered in due course, but we may get an idea of how she is thinking," Banda's spokesperson told AFP.
Wallace Chawawa, a PP lawmaker said: "This will definitely rejuvenate the party... The vacuum has been filled."
Government coffers emptied
Police spokesperson James Kaledzera has declined to say if Banda would be arrested, though he confirmed that a warrant issued last July remained valid.
Earlier this year, the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said it had no solid evidence against the former president, partially clearing her name.
The "Cashgate" scandal prompted foreign donors - who provide around 40% of Malawi's budget - to pull the plug on aid worth around US$150 million.
Ministers, civil servants and businessmen are accused of pocketing money from government coffers through ghost companies which did not provide any services to the state.
The biggest financial scandal in Malawi's history helped push Banda out of power in the 2014 election, and Mutharika vowed to clean up the system to bring donors back.
The graft started in 2005, and more than US$30 million was looted within only six months in 2013 shortly before it was uncovered, according to an independent audit.
Malawi, one of the world's poorest and aid-dependent countries, will hold presidential, parliamentary and council elections in May 2019.
NAMPA/AFP
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