Malawi's new president sells off presidential jet and 60 Mercedes

oyce Banda, Malawi's new president, has announced the presidential jet and fleet of 60 Mercedes limousines would be sold in a move applauded by a British cabinet minister as an example to other African leaders. Mrs Banda had sent a signal of her intent and her priorities at a time of financial austerity both in Malawi and Britain Photo: AFP By Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg and Damien McElroy4:30PM BST 01 Jun 2012 Mrs Banda said she was happy to "offload" the presidential perks, adding: "I can well use private airlines. I am already used to hitchhiking." It means that the 62-year-old head of state – the second woman to hold the position in Africa – will fly to the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in London this weekend with British Airways. Andrew Mitchell, the UK International Development Secretary who is currently visiting Malawi, delivered a £33m cash injection for Mrs Banda's government. He said the move was a sign of the "seriousness Mrs Banda is applying to overturn bad decisions taken under the previous government".