Chikwawa DC, Chief Lundu implicated in K1m bogus compensation
Chikwawa District Commissioner Felix Mkandawire and Paramount Chief Lundu of the same district are implicated in payment of K1.699 million to bogus beneficiaries as compensation from Illovo Sugar Malawi Limited following eviction of Chipakuza villagers in the district.
Reports indicate that the compensation list which contains 52 beneficiaries with a total K9.8 million from Illovo has two dubious names Antonio Manuel and John Peter who are said to have received K99 000 and K1.6 million respectively.
Peter was quoted in the local media denying receiving that money and Manuel does not exist.
Sources at Chikwawa district council claim that the two names were masterminded by the DC and the Paramount.
“The DC and the Paramount know something about those two names. In fact the Paramount sent a letter to the DC to issue payment to the bearer of his letter on behalf of the two beneficiaries. The DC was aware of that and since then there was silence. It seems the two shared the money,” the source close to the compensation said.
Mkandawire denied in the local press being involved in the compensation but Illovo spokesperson Irene Phalula said the compensation process was handled by the District Council and Ministry of Lands and village headman Chipakuza.
Illovo demanded government investigation into the dubious beneficiaries done by inMNadanwire.
Chipakuza disowned the names saying his village does not have such people and he wondered who received the money.
Paramount Chief Lundu was not available for comment but previously accused Illovo and the DC of working under ground to undermine his authority according to the local media.
