Malawi anti-corruption agency investigators heading to Zambia on maizegate probe
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has confirmed that it is sending three of its investigators to Zambia to probe the procurement of 100 000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize from Malawi’s western neighbour.
However, ACB director Lucas Kondowe could not say when the investigators will leave for Zambia.
Kondowe said the bureau has since taken up the matter to investigate and will work in conjunction with the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zambia to analyse documents related to the deal to establish, if there was an element of corruption.
The ‘maizegate scandal is involving K26 billion.
State trader Admarc insists that it is buying the staple grain from Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF), a government agency, despite documents show that Admarc may have used a private Zambian company that may be more expensive than if the deal were government-to-government.
Admarc has reportedly paid $34.5 million (about K26 billion) for the maize, which is $13 million (about K9.5 billion) more than the $21.5 million (about K15 billion) it could have paid had it bought the maize from Zambian Government.
But both ZCF executive director James Chirwa and Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, George Chaponda, claimed that no payment has been done to the maize that has already been ferried into Malawi because one of the terms on the contract was that ADMARC will only start paying when ZCF deliverers 10,000 tones.
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nonsense
Ah ah ah ku Zambia kukatani, investigate the 235 billion nde pitani bwino ku Zambia
At some point I would agree with people that ACB has not received official complaint from anyone. With the current status of how ACB has conducted itself it leaves one to wonder whether this time around something sensible and tangible would come out of this institution.
I would rather opt to wait for the Commission of inquiry to come up with their findings and ACB take up their role thereafter.
Kupita ku Zambia kukasokoneza umboni.Anali kuti nthawi yonsei.
This leaves a lot to be desire. When the media asked the ACB few weeks ago whether it would institute investigations on this maize scam, the ACB’s spokesperson Eggrita Mdala said the bureau would do so if and only if there was a formal complaint from some quarters. Up to date in as far as I the Ndichie of Umuofia Village, there’s nobody who has lodged an official complaint to the ACB over this issue. I then tend to wonder as to why Lucas Kondowe has now decided to send investigators to Zambia. That is why people are sensing some… Read more »
How can one case be investigated by several agencies? ACB, Agriculture committee (parliament), Commission of inquiry, CAMA, ADMARC board etc. This will be torture for the people to be interrogated. Enanu tabaimani kaye. Otherwise, you are further complicating complicated issue.
i agree with benjones. this is a waste of our hard earned cash.
waste of money this guy is useless.