Madonna is 'saddened'  by the claims but will continue charity work Malawi has accused Madonna of overly exaggerating her charitable contributions to the Southern African country, claiming the singer demanded VIP treatment during her trip last week. Madonna, who has two adopted Malawian children, has denied the claims. The pop star’s spokesperson suggested the accusations were provoked by the recent dismissal of the Malawian president Joyce Banda's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organisation there.
The singer has a long history with Malawi, where she has set-up several schools-related projects funded by her charity, Raising Malawi.
Madonna had been granted special treatment during previous visits, more recently during her trip to Malawi on April 1. But the star was apparently surprised when she and her travelling party were asked to queue with other passengers and frisked by airport security when leaving.
"There was a directive that Miss Louise Ciccone [Madonna], travelling on an American passport, and her children Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, Rocco Ritchie, Mercy James, David Banda Ciccone Ritchie should use the ordinary passenger terminal on their way to their jet," said an aviation official, speaking upon the condition of anonymity, told the British newspaper The Guardian.
The Malawian presidential office issued a harshly-worded statement on Wednesday claiming Madonna tried to use her money and fame to demand VIP treatment.
"Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary, not obligatory," the statement said.
The office of President Banda accused the singer of wanting Malawi "to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude."
The statement went on to claim that Madonna has grossly exaggerated her contributions to building schools, saying she has only renovated a few buildings and classrooms.
It accused her of being "a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage".
Speaking to the BBC, Madonna’s manager Trevor Neilson said he were mystified by the claims about school buildings. Neilson went on to say Madonna will continue her philanthropic work supporting the children of Malawi.