Speaker, Clerk of Parliament in China for massive shopping spree
Barely a week after government recalled Roads Authority officials from a China trip allegedly to save forex, a five-member delegation from the Malawi National Assembly led by Speaker of Parliament, Henry Chimunthu-Banda, has left the country, sent by the President on a shopping spree to Beijing and Dubai.
The five include Clerk of Parliament Matilda Katopola, Human Resources Manager Anne Tsakalaka, Personnal Assistant to the Speaker Victor Sibale, Principle Clerk Menyeheri, and another official, a Mr G. J. Hara.
Investigations carried out by Nyasa Times reveal that all the officials , except the Speaker , own shops in the country and are hiding under the purported “official trip” to buy merchandise for resale in their respective shops.
The officials, whose visas have been processed through Bon Voyage Tours Limited, are each carrying considerable amounts of forex.
The official tally suggests that the trip will cost tax-payers some MK7,750,000 in initial expenses, not counting the additional stop in Dubai.
This contradicts recent government statements to the effect that official trips will be minimised to save forex.
The government is pointing an accusing finger at businessmen, alleging that they are to blame for the forex shortage in the country.
“This money could have helped the country to ease its forex shortage or pay the debts on fuel which the government of President Bingu wa Mutharika has with our suppliers,” said one Lilongwe citizen who declined to give his name for fear of government reprisals.
The team is expected to spend a week each in China and Dubai.
Tagged with: Bingu, Chimunthu Banda, China, forex, Maltilda Katopola, parliament
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