20100808
africanews

A former and most feared intelligence chief in Malawi's single party rule, has said the late dictator and first Malawi leader, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, fathered three children.s.

The revelations follow claims by 37-year-old Jim Jumani Johansson that he is Banda's legitimate biological son. Banda's family, however, refutes the claims and has since rubbished Johansson's challenges to undergo a DNA test to prove his claims.

"I went with Dr. Banda to London in 1975 where he showed me three children. I was with Mama Cecelia Kadzamira (Banda's official hostess and long time confidante) and John Tembo. This is one of the children I saw," said Martin Focus Gwede from his home in Ntcheu District in an interview with a local newspaper.

Gwede, who fell out with Banda and was arrested on treason charges alongside fellow intelligence hand, Albert Muwalo, added he was sternly told by Banda and Kadzamira not to reveal the matter once back home.

"I do not know why he did not want people to know he had children. Even Tembo was not allowed to come and see the children who were being kept by a white woman. Dr. Banda gave the three children cheques and we left," he added.

Tembo, Kadzamira's uncle and current leader of opposition in Malawi, still maintains Kamuzu had no children. Spokesperson for the Banda family, Ken Kandodo who is also minister of finance has since demanded that Johansson produces his biological mother to prove himself.

Contesting claims

"We are contesting his claims and we want him to show us his biological mother," he charged. Johansson since applied to change his name to Jumani Masauko Kamuzu Banda with the Malawi government.

Another top policeman, refusing to reveal his name, corroborated Gwede's claims that he indeed travelled to London in 1975 though he does not have information about the children.

"I am glad someone has been brave enough to tell the truth about me. This is not enough, though. I still need to go for a DNA test to prove my claim," said Johansson.

A court in Mzuzu City since allowed him to use the name after the family sought to legally stop his intentions. It also applied in the courts to bar Johansson from visiting any Banda property.

Johansson, a spitting image of the deceased leader, was adopted by a Swedish man, Johansson and his Malawian wife, Mirriam Kaunda in 1979. He has been in Sweden since and only returned to identify with his family and roots.