The Maravi Post

EXCLUSIVE   

LILONGWE--Former First Lady Callitsa Mutharika has no claim to any property that belongs to Bineth Trust, the property vehicle for Malawi’s former President Bingu wa Mutharika, children of the deceased leader have claimed.

The three Tapiwa, Duwa and Madalitso have submitted what are said to be original Trust documents from their father’s lawyers, Mbendera and Associates, which indicate that trustees were the late Ethel (Mutharika’s first wife and mother to the three), Madalitso, Tapiwa and Duwa Mutharika.
“There were no changes to the Trust documents after the demise of either Ethel or marriage to Callista. Unfortunately all major properties of the late president are all under Bineth Trust except the few that belong to Callista,” says a family member.

The late Mutharika's assets worth millions of dollars declared when he assumed the presidency in 2004 grew in real terms to include 14 houses he bought from the Ministry of Lands and Lilongwe City Council, Lonrho House in Limbe and pieces of prime land in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Zomba cities.

“The other assets include the yet to fully roll out Galaxy Broadcasting House, Ndata Farm and farms in Mitundu and Salima. There are more than 50 trucks also registered in Malawi and Zimbabwe,” said a family member.

Callitsa, according to a public statement released by the children this week has a six bedroom mansion close to Zomba Mountain which was built by Mutharika in her name.

Callitsa, who drives a Landrover 2011 Discovery registered “BICA 1” presumed to have been her wedding gift from Mike Apple and Ghatto dealers, also owns property in Lilongwe including 15 undeveloped plots in the posh Area 9 suburb.

The battle to control the late Mutharika finances and empire is likely to spill into courts as lawyers for the children are seeking a restriction order against the former first lady from entering Ndata Farm and other Bineth properties.

“She is already restricted from visiting Galaxy Radio which is controlled by Duwa. Even their uncle Professor Peter Mutharika was told hands off the radio. The radio doesn't cover DPP events because they want it to be professional and the Professor is bitter about it,” a person familiar with the issue told MaraPost.
---
(c) The Maravi Post 2012. Reproduction without authorization prohibited