ACB spares Mulumbe in ‘Maizegate’ prosecution: Admarc yet to pay Zambia Co-op K1.2bn
Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) chief executive officer, Foster Mulumbe, stands cleared of any wrongdoing by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in relation to the Zambia maize imports saga, Nyasa Times understands.
ACB spokeswoman said all the graft busting body arrested all suspects in the ‘Maizegate’ scandal and that Mulumbe is not one of those found with any wrongdoing.
“The Bureau arrested suspects whom investigations had found evidence of wrongdoing. The case us currently in court for prosecution of the suspects,”Mdala said.
Mulumbe alongside former Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda were investigated by ACB over their involvement of the controversial $35 million procurement of maize from Zambia last year.
Chaponda was arrested alongside director of Transglobe Produce Limited Rashid Tayub and Grain Traders Association of Malawi chairperson Grace Mijiga Mhango. They are facing corruption charges.
Mulumbe and State produce trader’s director of operations Feckson Kantonga were investigated following recommendations of two commissions of inquiry—one hired by President Peter Mutharika and the other by Parliament—into the controversial Zambia maize imports.
A report presented by an inquiry chaired by retired Chief Justice Anastasia Msosa faulted Admarc for flouting approval rules and systems, thereby causing discrepancies.
While Admarc board indicated that the disciplinary committee found both Mulumbe and Kantonga in breach of Section 16 (e) of the Admarc conditions of service in addition to breaching Section 30 (11) of the Public Procurement Act as well as government policy on external travel reference number CS/S/001 of 2015.
Meanwhile, Admarc public relations manager Agness Ndovi has confirmed that Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF) director general James Chirwa visted the country to follow up on a payment of about K1 billion it owes them for supplying maize last year.
He was back in the country last week to chase the payment.
Ndovi said the debt ridden Admarc was affected looking at other modalities to sort out ZCF in due course.
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I cant believe the verdict. ADMARC failed to follow procurement procedures Msosa reported. That fault remains on the shoulders of ADMARC CEO because he was or should have been on top of the procurement processes. Failure of management is the failure of Manager in this case Mulumbe failed. Look now who will be responsible for payment of K1.2m? And if Mulumbe is freed Chaponda will be free too. There is no way Chaponda will be found guilty when his manager is innocent. This is the beginning of the end of the case. This counters calls to fight corruption. It shows gross lack of political commitment to reduce corruption. And to add salt to the wound they say Mulumbe will return to ADMARC. When Malawians hear and see this they dont take DPP seriously. The party is playing with peoples minds
Congrats ACB for promoting corruption in Malawi. You are Indeed an Advanced Corruption Bureau (ACB). Mumadziwadi kuti uyu ndi m’bale wa munthu wamkulu. Laws are for the poor and less Privileged people.
Time is coming to mop the entire ACB. GOD is going to provide the tools for that activity.
Some heads in ADMARC will roll. Remember that board which chaired the Mulumbe suspension? Some guys in that board were doing it with impudence thinking that was the end of their boss. And with this relief, ena ayamba kale kunenezana kuti wakuti wakuti sankafuna kuti mubwerenso bwana. This is natural in our society. So Mulumbe should not keep a grudge but instead should work with everybody and forget about the past for the betterment of our Admarc.
I have always said mulumbe is innocent …thank God he is vindicated. We know all the people that wanted to finish him. Bwana mulumbe …we can’t wait to have you back ku office. We missed you so much
thank God for protecting Mr mulumbe.
I said it fron the start that this man is innocent … Glory be to God for vidicating Mr mulumbe.
If this is selective justice, what would it be if it was Chaponda spared?
Which means all those evidence they found during investigation were all lies?? It doesnt make sense
ACB – you are really working hard to reduce corruption in Malawi – Congratulations. Keep it up.
Selective justice is the norm in Malawi. I am not surprised