Malawi army implicated in ‘cash-gate’ scandal as ACB probe- report
The crackdown on corruption has gone as far as the barracks as Malawi Defence Force is being investigated by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) over billions of kwacha in what has been dubbed as ‘cash-gate’ scandal.
The social media has been awash with reports that the MDF K2.9 Billion unaccounted for.
It is reported that the graft-busting body has been pressing the Army Commander , General Henry Odillo to produce supporting documents for examination by ACB.
General Odillo is reported to have declined to handover the documents to ACB on pretext that they were “ security and secret document”.
But ACB senior public relations officer Egrita Ndala has said the bureau was in the process of analysing documents in relation to these investigations, according to the country’s flagship daily, The Nation.
“The ACB has been conducting investigations in a number of Government Departments, including the Malawi Defence Force since last month,” Ndala said as quoted by The Nation on Thursday.
“Since the matter is still being investigated, it would be premature for the bureau to divulge more information about this investigation for fear of prejudicing the investigation process,” she added.
President Joyce Banda has hired a new cabinet after the financial controversy .
Last month, government’s budget director, Paul Mphwiyo, was shot and wounded in an apparent attempt to stop him from investigating graft, according to the President.
As many as 10 government officials have been arrested on charges on money laundering , abuse of public office and corruption, while nine senior police officers were jailed last month for their role in a $164,000 fraud.
The deputy head of ACB, Victor Banda, is quoted by Bloomberg saying the body has failed to make much progress in graft investigations “because most of those arrested on corruption charges have opted to remain silent.”
The EU ambassador to Malawi, Alexander Baum, has said foreign auditors are needed to investigate pilfering of state funds.
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