Britain demand action on Malawi electoral body ‘management fraud’
Britain has lost confidence with the rot at Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and is demanding action on the “management fraud” of K15 422 756 between July 2012 and December 2014 at the electoral body.
Nyasa Times first reported on September 30, 2015 that the MEC management were involved in expenses scandal by claiming dubious allowances.
The special investigative audit highlighted personal wrongdoing of top officials in claiming the expenses.
MEC chairperson Justice Maxon Mbendera , who is also a judge of the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal , acknowledged during Electoral cycle support project steering committee meeting held on January 19, 2016 in Lilongwe attended by donors, that there was flouting of the rules, but maintained there was no theft
But British High Commissioner Michael Nevin strongly believes the money was “cashgated”.
“The UK emphasized that they found the exchange of issue to reflect a critical lack of confidence in the integrity of key individuals and that actions are required,” said Nevin, according to the minutes relied upon by the local press.
The minutes also quoted United States Deputy Ambassador Michael Gonzales as having said: “ The US highlighted that the standard is not simply one of theft . The US asserted that the audit reflected a wanton disregard for good practices, which , if not addressed in the MEC’s subsequent managerial actions, will fail to recognize the serious failures id senior administration.”
UN resident coordinator Mia Seppo , who co-chaired the meeting, said the meeting was interested to see action to be undertaken by MEC .
According to the audit, the electoral body, among others, had poor financial management controls, they procured and spent outside the budget, recruited staff without following procedures, made procurements without following regulations, some commissioners and staff pocketed allowances for external trips not undertaken, there was irregular purchase and hiring of vehicles by the chief elections officer, Willie Kalonga, and investing of funds without approval.
The audit among other things, established that MEC management invested K398 million of the electoral body’s idle funds without evidence of the Commission written authority. MEC, however, has argued that the decision to invest with Alliance Capital was ratified by the Commission’s finance and administration committee.
MEC was also accused of transferring about K119 million to unknown accounts and with no records in the cashbook. but the electoral body says it has provided 24 written authorisations for fund transfers amounting to about K93 million.
Meanwhile, the tenure of the current MEC commissioners expires on May 18 2016.
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I feel so much angry when someone demands action when there is no detailed report of the malpractice. It is a fact that Britain, USA and other stupid donors do not like Mutharikas government because of how Bingu showed them how stupid they really were. There is need for Brits and their other fellow bastards to make their own investigations and seek audience with MEC rather than rely on nepotistic audit report which some northerners doctored and did not attempt to respond to the general public when MEC released its responses on its website. Mbendera was not at MEC in… Read more »
Mbendera solvani all guilters are not gold chilungamo umachidziwa nthawiijayo,onapano abwantasa alimmadzi nsomba zathawamo,kuzuzitsa achete..asaaaah
Literally, every Jim n Jack is corrupt in this country. Even in church, the Pastor offers a longer prayer for him that dips deeper in his pocket, shame on us. Why then do we bother to dream of developing our country?
We know that Britain and nevin in particular don’t like this govt. They are using MEC as a scapegoat . To hell with nevin and his government and everything they stand for
Mr kalonga now back at the MEC was once fired for theft by servant by this same organisation . It came as somethings most unusual to have him come back to the same crime scene. What has happened was inevitable
If monies have been stolen from MEC, why would anyone trust justice Mbendera as a judge?
In some circles, people are wondering whether MEC rewarded itself for poor handling of previously disputed elections, which required a judge’s decision to rule in favor of Peter Mutharika as president.
Whatever the case, if indeed money was stolen, that raises a flag!
Justice Maxon Mbendera is the only person who thinks that there was no theft at MEC. Everyone else, including President Mutharika, think there was theft. I think the Learned Judge’s position is untenable. The noble thing to do is to step aside and let an other people do his job. This is total disgrace involving our top people, and unfortunately, the longer Mbendera ‘sticks around,’ the more disgraceful he as a person, MEC as a whole, the Judiciary, as well as Malawi as a country, find themselves in. Judges’ activities must always be above board. There must be no doubt… Read more »
Ife a Malawi tataya chikhulupiriro MEC. It is unfortunate that MEC composed of Justices and reverends should be involved in cashgate. We saw it at election period that MEC is a disgrace. It is a shame that Britain and USA talks about this after 50 years of independence!
ONLY A FOOL CAN FAIL TO REALISE THAT THE BRITISH NEVER WANTED THIS GOVT. IN PRACTICAL TERMS THEY WANT TO EXCERCISE SOME LEADERSHIP AFTER NOTING THERE DOESN’T SEEM TO BE ONE!!!
Ife tilibe chonena