Former president Peter Mutharika says he has learnt with shock that Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) approved the clearance of duty free cement using his taxpayer identification number (TPIN).
Personal secretary to the former president, Linda Salanjira said Mutharika has resolved to inform the general public of his position following the allegations pertaining to the duty free clearance of the cement.
She says the former president neither bought nor instructed anyone to buy or import the cement in question.
Salanjira says the former president could not request the MRA to invoke any of his privileges to clear the alleged consignment of cement duty free.
The statement from Mutharika further says he never at any point undertook any construction projects requiring such substantial volumes of cement.
Salanjira says in any event, the former president does not operate any business to sell cement on retail or wholesale.
According to Salanjira, for the avoidance of doubt, Mutharika did not have any dealings with the alleged cement traders, either personally or through a third party.
