BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR
Retired President Bakili Muluzi yesterday indicated he would not fly back home where he is also expected to attend court on the 3rd of September 2010.
His son, Atupele, said his father’s continued stay has been necessitated by shortage of foreign exchange (forex) in South Africa, which has forced the former president not to pay for his medical bills.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) yesterday said they had no problem with Muluzi extending his stay in South Africa as long as he makes himself available to take plea on the scheduled date.
The former president was initially expected to take plea in a corruption case on August 3 this year, but failed because doctors recommended him not fit to stand trial.
This resulted into his lawyers praying with the courts to extend Muluzi’s stay in South African for him to continue receiving his medical treatment.
And in his July 23 ruling, Justice MacLean Kamwambe of the High Court allowed Muluzi to continue staying in South Africa until yesterday.
But in a telephone interview from South Africa, the former leader confirmed he was not coming home.
“Yes! I’m not coming back today,” said Muluzi jovially, but refused to disclose when he would jet in. The retired politician could also not explain if his continued stay had something to do with his ill-health.
ACB director Alex Nampota stated that Muluzi’s failure to return yesterday would not have any implications on their case against the former leader.
“The court ordered all parties including Dr. Bakili Muluzi to attend court on the 3rd of September 2010. It did not make an order requiring Dr. Muluzi to come to Malawi this weekend. We expect that Dr. Muluzi will attend court as ordered,” Nampota said.
He also explained that the graft-busting institution has received communication from Muluzi’s lawyers that they will be raising objections to the plea on that day.
The lawyers are contending that they have applied to the Chief Justice for leave to institute constitutional review proceedings in the constitutional court. On account of this, they intend to move the court to adjourn the plea hearing to pave way for the constitutional review, according to Nampota.
Muluzi’s lawyer Jai Banda could not be reached, Atupele said his father would not make it yesterday because there is a bill at the hospital, which the former leader has to settle before being discharged.
“There was a shortage of forex… and eventually he failed to pay for the medical bill. Once that is done, my father is coming back any day,” said the younger Muluzi.
END
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