By The Forum

Incoming Malawi president Peter Mutharika has issued a stern warning to civil servants and politicians engaged in plundering public resources during the transition period.

“Huge payments are being made, money is being transferred, vehicle numbers are being changed, dubious contracts are being honoured, and questionable loans are being given,” Mutharika told journalists at his residence in Blantyre on Friday.

“I want to warn those civil servants who are doing this that they must stop. And politicians who are facilitating this, they must stop.”

Mutharika, a former university law professor, said he was fully aware of the irregular activities.

“What they are doing is illegal and criminal,” he stressed. “I have my eyes everywhere. And I can assure you that when we are in government, you will answer for the crimes you have been committing in the last several days.”

Mutharika, who defeated outgoing president Lazarus Chakwera in last week’s elections by a landslide 57% to 33%, is expected to be sworn in as Malawi’s president this coming week on a date yet to be announced. This will mark his second time in office, having previously served from 2014 to 2019.