Chaponda gets back his millions from Reserve Bank of Malawi
Former Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda has been given millions of Kwachas found by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) stashed inside suitcases hidden in the bedroom of his bedroom during a search.
Between US$58,000 and MK124 million in cash was found after a search at Chaponda’s home last year following investigations in the procurement of maize from Zambia.
Chaponda claimed the money belongs to the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The former minister applied to court that the money should be given back as it had not been proved to be proceeds of illicit activities or money laundering. The court ordered ACB, who hade deposited the moeney at Reserve Bank of Malawi, to surrender the money.
ACB Director General Reyneck Matemba confirmed on Tuesday that they have complied with the court order and Chaponda has been given back his millions of Kwachas.
He said Chaponda was not charged on some of the money – K29 million plus an assorted mix of small amounts of forex (Zambia Kwacha, Pula, India Rupee) – and there is a court order that he gets that.
Chaponda justified why he is cash-rich, saying he has worked for the United Nations (UN) for over 20 years and has his own investments.
He also submitted his assets declaration form to ACB which indicates he hold many bank accounts in foreign countries where he worked for UN.
A lists of assets Chaponda declared as of February 1, 2017 seen by Nyasa Times shows that he has 20 real estate properties in Lilongwe, Blantyre, France, Luchenza, Mangochi, Thyolo and Chiradzulu.
According to Chaponda declaration, the source of funds for the property, valued at K853 million, included bank loans and his earnings from the UN, United Kingdom, South Africa, France and his children abroad and Chaponda investments
Chaponda is answering three charges which include giving false information to ACB, influencing a public officer to misuse his position and possession of foreign currency. He has constantly denied any wrong doing.
He was arrested by ACB in July last year on suspicion of corruption relating to procurement of the K26 billion maize from Zambia.
Malawi’s government has struggled to regain credibility after the massive ‘Cashgate’ scandal in 2013 caused foreign donors to cut large amounts of aid. When he took office the following year, President Peter Mutharika pledged zero tolerance on corruption and mismanagement.
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Nthawi zonse ndimanena kuti za uchitsiru basi stupid
Chaponda has gotten only a fraction of the amount seized because ACB has nothing to do with that amount of money in the on-going investigations and the charges Chaponda is answering which is only fair to the accused.Nde zodabwitsa ndi zakuti wina amafuna asapatsidwe ndalamazo zizingokhala? osamangokhala ndi nkhanza amalawi.We have to look at issues with a sober mind.
so in other words the authority who siezed the money is not familiar to our laws.
Vuto la ACB inakomedwa ndi opportunists from Civil society, Kamlepo Kalua,Gerrad Kampanikiza, Brian Banda and other frustrated PP supporters on the maizegate case.But the fact remains there was no case for Chaponda.Mutharika knew it and that’s why he was reluctant to fire him in cabinet
The law is upside down where the poor die of no medicines, juveniles get burnt for stealing chips while the Elite/ rich get compensated and store millions of monies in their homes for ’emergencies’. When will our’ S……hole’ law ever get us the real justice? God is watching this and is looking for a ‘MAN’ Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. CRY MY BELOVED COUNTRY/ Mafia are sitting on our heads.
When the rule of the law is compromised or twisted, the poor die in a failed health systems while the rich get compensated. The juvenile get burnt for stealing chips while the Elite keep millions of stolen monies in houses for ’emergencies’ CRY MY BELOVED COUNTRY. When will our ‘S……..HOLE’ LAW ever get us any real justice based on the truth. God is watching this and looking for a ‘MAN’. Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning! They think they are clever? Let them ask Hitler, ask Robert Mugabe?
Inu mukuti anabetha inu zonse mukunena za Mugabezo kaya mukuti Hitler sizikugwilizana ndi nkhaniyi.Bring your facts here.
Chaponda was not charged on some of the money and the court has ordered that he gets that – its only fair. Nde mwati alibe mulandu? Chizungucho mukuchimva koma? …by the way nobody said Chaponda was poor and so he couldnt have all that money, but, wait a minute, why did the learned lawyer have to keep all those stacks of money in his bedroom? and , remember the mysterious fire that gutted his office shortly after investigations on maize gate started? do you remember How HE was reluctant to fire him from his ministerial position? all these thing should… Read more »
$58000 is big money by Malawi standards, alright. But to some of us who have had good jobs in Azungu lands, been financially literate and disciplined, and lucky too, it’s not beyond comprehension to buy a car worth that much. That is if one wants to. Asa. Many people (like Asians – no disparaging here), right here in Malawi, have that much cash as spare change. Since when is having cash, from proven legal sources considered an illegal act in this country? In other words, the Bwanankubwa Chaponda could have acquired that money, and kept it for family emergencies, and… Read more »
Ino sinthawi yozikundikira chuma cha dziko lapansi, donate the huge sums to hospitals amene akusowa fuel and other needs due to dyera la anthu ngati chaponda, otherwise mukalephera kulowa mu ufumu wakumbwa. Chuma chimenecho muzachisiya
mxiii!! Amalawi tizingobeledwa as long as these thieves are still governing. These old people came to steal not to help poor Malawians. Chaponda owns DPP. Nothing can happen to him. Chase these old thieves out of town. Now. Do you really think all that money was clean? Why keep it at home? Only Mafias keep money like that. Let us reposses our country from these crooks.
times group mukumva bwanji ? you added your own audio clips the time chaponda and tayub were leaving acb for the police cells just to make the public believe chaponda is a real thief . just prepare to compensate him huge sums of money . ndiye ngati mukumazemba misonkho kaya ndalama muzitenga kuti . ithapotu times group . muphunzire kuipa kotengera zinthu pa mgong’o . inu ife timaona ngati ndinu atolankhani . phunzirani bwino bwino ntchito yanu .