Health ministry, Auditor General clash over suspected cashgate officials

Over 60 Health ministry officials who were suspended nine months ago for allegedly abusing huge sums of money meant for an HIV project funded by the US Centre for Disease Control, are back in office, comfortably, without any charges.

Ministry of Health spokesman, Chikumbe: Suspects working as usual
Ministry of Health spokesman, Chikumbe: Suspects working as usual

Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe confirmed the 63 health officials were suspected to have drawn unjustified allowances and suspected theft of fuel for the project.

The suspects include the director of finance, the director of administration, accountants and drivers.

“The auditor general was supposed to give us the final report on the matter but they only gave us a preliminary report so natural justice demands that the suspects be heard. We could not put them on suspension for nine months,” he said.

Chikumbe said the 63 suspects are not answering any criminal charges amd are working normally.

However, auditor general Stevenson Kumphasa disputed the ministry of Health version of the story, saying his office gave the ministry a final report with recommendations.

The US embassy, whose funds were allegedly abused, is yet to comment on the matter.

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Njou
Njou
7 years ago

During the previous investigative audits carried by the Auditor General through the subcontracted private audit firms, the Auditor General did two things; 1. He did not rush to reveal names of suspects saying it had legal implication and would jeopardize further investigations and 2. In addition to writing an audit report with recommendations, he submitted files of the suspects to the ACB for further investigation and possible prosecution. This was an investigative of forensic audit just like the previous cash-gate audits. I wonder why the Auditor General did not take the same approach. Why double standards? Can one Malawian school… Read more »

Khombe Kay
Khombe Kay
7 years ago

Something must be wrong here without offending anyone. Either the Auditor General is totally incompetent to understand his own job or the Ministry has some clever heads that quickly saw the loopholes in his approach of doing things and possibly the usual weak and unfounded audit recommendations. Just thinking aloud!

Emeneka
Emeneka
7 years ago
Reply to  Khombe Kay

Kamphasa kupupuluma bambo uyu he simply doesnt know what he is doing. How do you expect MOH management to interdict the accussed when they themselves are thieves and the accussed know? There is no saint at that GOD FORSAKEN MINISTRY. In Malawi today public servants, politicians, NGOs, the private sector employees are stealing. The only people i know who dont steal are those in the “MORTUARY”.

Khombe Kay
Khombe Kay
7 years ago

Something must be wrong here and not offending anyone. Either the Auditor General is totally incompetent to know his job or the Ministry has some clever heads which just brushed aside his report as useless lacking the power to attest the wrong doing of the individuals. Just think aloud!

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