Former state president Peter Mutharika has distanced himself from the alleged duty-free clearance of cement worth over K5 billion by the Malawi Revenue Authority.

Mutharika’s personal secretary Linda Salanjira finally made the stand in a statement.

Salanjira said Mutharika neither bought nor sent anyone to buy or import the cement in question.

“Accordingly, the former President did not, as he could not, request the Malawi Revenue Authority to invoke any of his privileges to clear the alleged consignment of cement duty free.

“Further, the former President was never at any point undertaking any construction project (s) requiring such substantial volumes of cement,” the statement reads.

The then Mutharika’s press officer Mgeme Kalilani and Malawi Revenue Authority officials told the public that Mutharika imported the said cement for personal use.