Audit exposes corrupt practices in Bingu govt, civil society call for action
Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), a coalition of civil society organisations concerned with economic governance has called on anti corruption enforcers to act on public officers accused of wrongful-self enrichment in a damning report by Auditor General.
The Auditor General has revealed the sordid details of high corruption, fraud and theft in the government of President Bingu wa Mutharika from 2005 to 2007.
The report which Nyasa Times has since obtained, in graphic detail describes how government officials in the Mutharika government used state resources for self-enrichment.
It also revealed how public funds were being used for political campaigns with expenses billed to government and public institutions which have made government to lose billions of Kwacha.
“There have been several reports indicating that corruption is still rampant in the country,” Andrew Kumbatira, executive director of MEJN told Capital FM radio.
He called for the long arm of the law to take its course on suspects.
“At the end of the day it is the poor people in the villages that are suffering because of this poor performance,” said the head of the economic governance group.
The audit has exposed bogus contracts and failure to collect revenue, by some ministries, such as the ministry of transport and public works.
“Government money has been lost. Progress of development will slow down,” pointed out Kumbatira.
The law enforcers, Malawi Police Service have also been exposed practices of fraud and abuse of public funds.
MEJN strongly called for action and bring suspects to book.
“What is important is government action, taking to book those that have flouted government regulation financial procedures,” said Kumbatira.
He also urged civil society and the public at large to be vigilant in checking abuse in government.
“What can be learnt for this it is important to make sure that there is strong oversight in terms of government operation. The fight against corruption is for all of us,” he said.
However, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which is responsible for tackling graft, has been viewed a witch hunting body which aims at victimising people especially political opponents.
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Opposition UDF parliamentary chief whip, Clement Chiwaya told National Assembly recently told that the Bureau , in its investigations, victimizes innocent people especially politicians.
Chiwaya also said the allocation of K904, 219, 732 in the 2009/10 national budget to the Anti-Corruption Bureau is too much considering that the bureau rush through cases without investigating fully.
But Minister of Justice and constitutional affairs, Professor Peter Mutharika said it was not true that the Bureau victimize politicians but rather it is an independent body which targets people and politicians who engage in corruption.
The minister also said the body acquired new four by four vehicles which would enable the body carry out its 
investigations effectively.
hede zosangalatsa MEJN mwanena zowona even ndaziona, kuno ku labour zimayi ameneyu ndiye wasakaza can you imagine amachita kuwapeza anthu oti adziwapangira pa ghost files ngati anavulala. Yet anthuwo sagwila ntchito boma blame shld go to ACB for failing to investigate on this woman why. IF you want the evedance a ACB you can aproach me poduka mphepo zowona zomwe ndi kunenazi ndipo si nsanje but chilungamo chiwoneke.
Anthu ngati amenewa ndi omwe akumaipitsa dzina la Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika kuti boma lawo silikuchita kanthu pa nkhani ya katangale. ACB olo kuwagulura ma 4 by 4 sikuti agwila ntchito ayi azingoyendera mabwana ku dzibwezi ndi anthu ogwila ntchito komweko kumowa. ACB inali kale kuli a Chiwaula ndi a Mtegha koma Kaliwo ndi Nampota anasokoneza bungwe limeneri. we want the trueth akana nkhala mabwana ambuyomu amapanga chonchi sibwezi a Sam Safuli atamangidwa chifukwa iwo samawona nkhope kapena komwe munthu akugwila ntchito. Chomwe amafuna ndi chilingamo kutichiwoneke.
“…sordid details of high corruption, fraud and theft in the government of President Bingu wa Mutharika from 2005 to 2007.”
Even though I was taught before my standard 1 that 1+1=2; sometimes the math doesn’t work. It’s now August-2009, what happened in the whole 2008 or the first half of 2009 with their finds?
One wonders who is trustworthy in our governments, it’s like burking dogs that long lost the courage to bite as they love chicken bones brought by robbers and once they bite, they will not have more stinking bones.
ah ah, madolo awaso amaba? nanga akanakhala kuti samaba akanachita zitukuko zotani? asiyeni azayankha 2019 (2014 ndakayika, awinaso anthuwa) muziwonatu abale sikuti anthu azizanama kuti ndi ndale tikazayamba kumanga.
I have always emphasized that the blame in all these malpractices is squarely on the head of state(Bingu). If he has brought in a bunch of his Lomwe Brotherhood to head most strategic positions in our government departments and parastatals, how can you expect him to act on and punish his own kith and kin?
Some of us knew, and commented on the dangers of Lomwelization of our government institutions…..it breeds corruption, ineptitude and a care-free altitude in whatever one does, knowing that the “Big Brother Bingu” is there to protect me.
So Malawians, this is the kind of mess we should brace ourselves to endure for the next 5 years if Bingu continues to think that the only capable and intelligent Malawians are his kith and kin(Lomwes).
But collectively as Malawians, we shouldn’t let Bingu go amok with our livelyhood.
Its now, not untill our economy grinds to a halt…. that we should stand up and tell him enough is enough.
Bingu should walk the talk and stop bickering on who is messing with and siphoning our tax money.
Solldier anayimba kale kuti andale ndi khalidwe lawo kuba, asiyeni choncho chidziwe ndi chipande popakula. Anyanya magalimoto onse aja , kaya ndi a Bingu kaya DPP koma zaka 5 zachepa, Muluzi anayamba kuwonekera kuba kwake in his second term
Here are a few suggestions to help remedy the amount of power that overconcentrated in the presidency:
1) Separation of the powers of state
Separate the party in government, the government (president and ministers) and the state (civil service and parastatals). This is the only way to prevent the abuse of the state machinery. Promotions should only be made from within these institutions, by members of these institutions. Civil servants should be promoted on merit, and not appointed by the President. Only the top civil servant should be appointed by the President. Ministers should not be able to disband the boards of parastatals – state companies are really none of the business of the political class, and should be run independently by the civil service.
2) Oversight
Major decisions should be debated extensively in parliament, open to the press, and available to the public. Corruption cannot exist amidst transparancy.
3) Transparancy
Budgets, promotions, hiring should be published in local papers, so every member of the public has the information necessary at election time.
This should come as no surprise to the Malawians who voted for Bingu. I have said this before and I will repeat. A man who was amin bus driver 6 years ago has all of a sudden become a multi billionaire. How can that be possible? Its a shame that Malawians will always be docile and damn. Your next billionaire Peter Muthalika is in waiting. You got what you asked for.
This is sad news for Malawi. ACB will not act on these sacred cows because they are still in power. This is why the Salima DHO, Florence Bwanali, is still not convicted despite her diversion of funds meant for patients’ care in Salima. She is well connected.
jUSTICE CAN BE DENIED TODAY BUT THE DAY WILL COME WHEN THE CORRUPT LIKE FLORENCE BWANALI WILL FACE JUSTICE.
Harry (Future Likoma MP 2029)
EUROPE.
koma tsotu dala ine lelo nandya nsima ya nandolo ndiposo inakoma zedi chifukwa unali ufa wa ACB
ndiye ningukulimbikitsani kuti muzidya bwino thelele.