I didn’t acquire property through corruption – Mumbi Phiri

Sat, 10 Dec 2016 10:43:33 +0000

DISGRUNTLED individuals driven by jealousy, malice and pettiness have ganged up to label me as a corrupt individual simply because I own properties but I challenge them to report me to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) if they have any evidence, Mumbi Phiri has said.

Commenting on reports suggesting that she had acquired 12 properties using underhand methods, Ms. Phiri told the Daily Nation yesterday that those who were propagating lies were only jealous that she utilised her resources and made “hay while the sun was still shining”, adding that she would not be derailed from investing in real estate because that was her dream.

She said she was not bothered by the mudslinging war waged against her because she had achieved all she has through hard work, adding that it was not her fault that there were those who were in Parliament just like her but were now moving on flip-flops because they failed to plan using the monies they were getting while serving as MPs.

She said contrary to lies that she had 12 properties, she only has seven so far and said she would continue to acquire more provided resources allowed her do so because she was not answerable to anyone over her investments which she acquired through hard work.

“I did not join politics in order to make money. Before I went to Parliament in 2006, I already had my own house in Sunningdale which I built at the age of 25. I sacrificed to an extent that even when I was an MP, I never bought any expensive car and even now I don’t drive an expensive car because that is not my area of interest. My area of interest is investing in real estates and when I received my gratuity, I built that house in Ibex.

“There are people I was with in Parliament who are today walking on flip-flops, but should that be my problem because they invested in other things? I went into Foreign Service for two years and I never came with a single expensive car because I was investing back home. The property they are talking about in Waterfalls is a family property which was bought in 1998 and documents are there to show. The only plot I bought from the council was the land behind ZNBC towers which I bought when I was in Foreign Service,” Ms. Phiri said.

She said she had nothing to hide on her investments because her hands were clean on the source of money she used to acquire whatever she has today.

“I can take you around and see my property because there is nothing sinister about my investment. I have neither worked in any government institution nor lobbied for government contracts for me to be labelled corrupt. All that I have achieved is from sacrifice. I am the kind of person who can do anything as long as I can make money. Ask those close to me, they will tell you that up to now I am still knitting, yet others believe it is an activity for the down trodden.

“So, for those who believe they have evidence that I am corrupt, I challenge them to go and report me to ACC. Should we all stop constructing because others who had the same privileges blew their chances away? Tell them I will continue constructing as long as resources allow me because it is my hobby. Elo ubauze ati bazonde bazalema!” she said.