Chakwera calls on action over failure to audit State House, OPC
Leader of opposition in parliament Lazarus Chakwera has angrily reacted to the failure by the Auditor General to audit state residences and Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).
A recent released audit report for government ministries and agencies has spared the State House and Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), government entities known for abuse of public money.
The Auditor General’s office has not explained why the state residences and OPC are glaring missing out in the 119 audit report amid concerns that money might have been abused.
Chakwera, who is also the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president said this culture of impunity among politicians over public money must stop.
“There is need for action on this impunity. We must respect the rule of law; these laws must be followed. This culture of impunity must stop,” said Chakwera.
He said it was surprising that even after the audit report is out, no action has been taken against those suspected to have plundered public money or controlling officers who never abide by the law on the use of public money.
“After the audit report is out, have you seen heads rolling in government? There is the culture of impunity,” he said.
But Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe played down the issue, saying there is no abuse at the state residences and the OPC.
He also said the government was working to reduce abuse of public money.
“We cannot stop abuse of public money but we are working towards reducing it. We are putting all measures to reduce the abuse of the money,” he said.
He said the situation in Malawi is not as alarming as in other countries both in Africa and elsewhere, saying in Zambia, donors are leaving yhe country because of rampant abuse of public and donor money.
In an earlier interview, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) vice chairman Kamlepo Kalua expressed concern that controlling officers continue to disregard the public finance management Act on the use of public money.
“The report shows that in some instances, huge sums of money were stolen or there was some corruption involved yet the controlling officers did nothing to control the situation,” he said.
He then asked graft busting body, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and other prosecution agencies such as director of public prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute those involved in the abuse of public money.
Kalua however expressed worry that sometimes the ACB and the state prosecution agencies take time to conclude their investigations as people continue to plunder the public money with impunity.
ACB director Reyneck Matemba said the organsation would mve in swiftly if PAC recommends action on some of the issues raised in the auditor general’s report.
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Are we really surprised?
Goodall’s track record like that of DPP is formidable when it comes to crooked behaviour, lying, fabrications after financial scandals or stealing.
Look, the forged forex license to circumvent justice of his “stealer” colleague, he sold a once thriving bank MSB after his DPP tricksters had defrauded it to bankruptcy through unpaid loans, he secretly signed for K3 billions compensation payment for a “stealer”, theK2.4 billions MPs reward for shooting down the (ERB) bill, the KUTENGULE saga, the list is ENDLESS.
That’s Goodall Gondwe for you!
SHAM!!!
I have seen dull and arrogant people in my life, but none more so than this old man you call Goodall Gondwe. Is this the same man people touted as the brains behind this country’s economic growth some fifteen or so years ago? Here is a whole minister of finance admitting failure to arrest abuse of public funds. The way he puts it, is like there is some tolerance level to abuse of public resources. I am appalled but not surprised. It starts with his masters. People in positions of authority are influential in driving others to ethical and unethical… Read more »
DPP amalitenga ziko ngati la nyumba mwao , they want to use us osati kutitandiza ziko silikutukuka ndalama angotyolela mumatumba , Gondwe nde pweteyo he should resign , antu alindi boma then nkumati we are trying to reduce corruption that’s nonses, 2019 mukuchoka mboma akubwela chilima akumangeni zeni zeni
We can’t stop abuse of public money is a full declaration that DPP has failed to govern Malawi. And furthermore encouraging everyone to steal as much as they can. Nothing to fear. Useless government of imbeciles.
Chakwera must first audit the public funds his party receives from government. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. For the sake if transparency he should do that. Pepani mpando wakudutsani. DDP iwinanso.
Mr Goodal Gondwe are you an auditor or State House spokesperson? How do you know that state house did not abuse resources before any auditors has performed any procedures at State House!! Kupupulumaku bwanji Goodal?
Chakwera please make sure you table a private motion on repayment of Goodall’s MSB toxic loans and Chikangawa Saw mill resources!! Akuluwa asamaone ngati shasha kwambiri ndi khalidwe lao lakubali!! Chonde chonde let us not go into 2019 elections before tabling bills for these issues!!
O Chakwera pull your MPs out of parliament until you get these two sections of government audited. There is no point in simply saying this must stop. How are you as leader of opposition going to stop these thieves stealing. If Gondwe has no concerns about State house and OPC why not release the audits so that everyone can see the evidence that he has seen to say what he says. What has gone wrong in Malawi. Sometimes I understand why Kamuzu treated us the way he did, like children because we don’t act responsibly
Chipungu wa ku state house who was saying tinasankha molakwika in 2014 is one of the big thieves who has been stealing a lot of money. The guy Chipungu had nothing when he arrived in Malawi 2013/14 after living in UK for years. Anali mbuuu. Pangotha 4 years koma ndalama zambiri mbiri. Wamanga manyumba. Anadya nawo za ku Escom.
Honourable Chakwera, are you living in the same country like every one else. Since when has the DPP-led govt taken action against those that have broken the law, looted or against those that have disregarded the Public Finance Management Act provisions……no one. Why then do you keep shouting on top of your voice asking the very same govt that doesn’t care to take action. Here is newsflash for you honourable Chakwera, scream all you want, the president, the ministers, law enforcement agencies, ACB, the Police or PAC won’t take action against the perpetrators; they will just continue to loot with… Read more »
He will die a miserable man.