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Former state president Bakili Muluzi, who returned Sunday from the United Kingdom where he was having medical treatment, has said government only paid about K4 million towards his medical bills, contradicting media reports in May which quoted government as saying K14 million of public money was already spent and that more bills were on the cards.
Addressing a press conference in the VIP suite at Chileka International Airport, Muluzi said he was grateful to government for paying his medical bills.
“It is government obligation to pay medical expenses for a former Head of State, [and] I want to thank government for adhering to its obligations,” said Muluzi.
But he said contrary to what government told the nation that it had paid K14 million towards his medical expenses, government paid between K3 to K4 million.
“I have documents. You can check that with the High Commission in London on that,” challenged Muluzi.
He also said he was meeting his daily expenses using his own money.
Government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati said in May Treasury coughed K14 million for Muluzi’s medical bills for an operation on his back. She was disputing earlier reports that quoted Muluzi’s son Atupele as saying the former Head of State was paying the medical bills from his pocket.
Asked to comment on reports that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) was waiting for his return to arrest him on several charges, Muluzi just said: “I have no comment on that issue.”
On his plans upon returning home, Muluzi said he plans to lay a wreath on the grave of late Aford President Chakufwa Chihana in the North and condole the family.
He dispelled rumours that he intends to run in the 2009 presidential elections, saying his two five-year terms were enough. However, he could not commit himself on leaving active politics.
“When does one stop doing active politics?” He wondered.
Muluzi also dismissed reports that he intends to tour the whole country.
He explained that doctors have advised him to return to the hospital after three months for medical check-up.
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