Audit exposes Ministry of Home Affairs in illegal spending: Malawi Police uses public money without Treasury approval

An investigative audit report has revealed that Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has been spending millions of public funds  illegally with Malawi Police  put on spotlight of using money without  the authority of Treasury.

Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Alekeni Menyani, said they  Auditor General’s report on the accounts of government for the year ended June 30 2013, it has revealed two major problems in the government system and wants to meet Chief Secretary to the Government Lloyd Muhara to strategise on good management of public purse.

“We have noted  two problems;  poor filling and poor management of records which we believe are causing this country to [continue facing Cashgate problems],” said Menyani.

Menyani said there is need to adopt new technologies in information management and record keeping.

The audit shows Police spending illegally in stations and units which  include Karonga Police Station  spending K1. 6 million, Nkhata Bay  Police K1. 6 million and Chitipa Police Station K3 million while Mzuzu Police Starion used K2.5 million.

It also  shows ministry of home affairs  purchased goods worth K19.5 million without seeing approval from Office of the Director of Public Procurement.

The audit report further revealed weak fuel management administration system that saw the purchase of K2 million fuel that was not accounted for, misallocated expenditure of K75.6 million and payments without supporting documents at K32.9 million.

Princial Secretary in the ministry Samuel Madula told Parliament’s committee that they “sincerely regret” the anomaly which includes the expenditure of K75.6million and payments without supporting documents at K32.9 million.

Madula said they will strive to “improve on the shortfalls.”

The Parliament’s committee also learnt that the Immigration Department purchased uniforms with exorbitant prices rated of poor quality, purchase of 500 lockers at K1.4 billion whose contract was given to African Agency.