US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE214

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000214 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCOR, PGOV, PINR, KDEM, MI, Corruption, Political 
SUBJECT: FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED IN DEATH OF PRESIDENT'S 
BUSINESS ASSOCIATE 
 
 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
1. (SBU) A March 2 autopsy report revealed that Kalonga 
Stambuli, Chief Executive Officer of President Muluzi's Trade 
and Investment Company, was poisoned and strangled on 
December 29, 2003.  In the weeks following Stambuli's death, 
"The Dispatch" weekly newspaper printed a series of excerpts 
from Stambuli's personal journal, entitled "Corrupt Practices 
by Muluzi."  Since Stambuli's death, the opposition National 
Democratic Alliance (NDA) and civil society organizations 
have repeatedly called for the ruling United Democratic Front 
(UDF) and GOM to launch an official investigation into the 
matter, and the police announced on March 12 that an inquiry 
had begun.  The allegations in Stambuli's journal are the 
most personal and direct accusations of corruption ever made 
publicly against the President.  END SUMMARY. 
 
AUTOPSY REPORT RELEASED 
----------------------- 
2. (U) On March 2 an autopsy report on the death of Kalonga 
Stambuli, Chief Executive Officer of President Muluzi's Trade 
and Investment Company, was released.  The autopsy, which had 
been initiated by a friend of the family, revealed that on 
December 29, 2003 Kalonga Stambuli was poisoned with a 
organophosphate compound and, immediately after, strangled. 
Declaring "asphyxia due to manual strangulation" the 
immediate cause of death, the report concluded that the death 
"was unlikely to have been suicidal."  In addition, the 
report indicated a handwritten note was found beside 
Stambuli's body and read, "You are very sinful."  The 
autopsy, which was not initiated by the police, came after 
the opposition political party National Democratic Alliance 
(NDA) made repeated public calls for the ruling United 
Democratic Front (UDF) and GOM to make official inquiries 
into Stambuli's death.  Since the report's release, several 
local human rights NGOs have pressed for an official 
investigation, which the police announced on March 12 had 
begun. 
 
STAMBULI'S BEYOND-THE-GRAVE ACCUSATIONS 
--------------------------------------- 
3. (U) In the weeks following Stambuli's death, "The 
Dispatch" weekly newspaper serialized portions of what it 
claimed was the late Stambuli's personal journal, entitled 
"Corrupt Practices by Muluzi."  While providing no evidence 
to substantiate the allegations, the entries detailed 
Muluzi's purported involvement in several illegal activities, 
including misappropriation of public funds and private 
business scandals.  The final article concluded by describing 
Stambuli's March 1997 decision to resign as Personal Advisor 
to the President and Secretary for Economic Planning and 
Development, though never indicated the exact circumstances 
around Stambuli's departure.  According to Stambuli, an 
unhappy Muluzi then had Stambuli arrested on trumped-up 
charges.  The ensuing legal battle had not been resolved at 
the time of Stambuli's death. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
4. (SBU) Rumors of corruption and illegal activities are not 
new to Muluzi or his administration.  However, Stambuli's 
accusations are the most personal and direct ever made 
publicly against Muluzi, and well-placed sources indicate 
some may be founded.  If official inquires are made into the 
Muluzi administration after the President steps down in May, 
the Stambuli case may feature prominently among them.  END 
COMMENT. 
BROWNING