Ex-Malawi envoy tells govt to investigate ambassador, ministry officials over fraud

Malawi’s former ambassador to Japan, Dr John Chikago has told the government to investigate the country’s envoy to Ethiopia, Chimango Chirwa following revelations that public money amounting to K184 million has been abused.

Chikago said recalling the deputy ambassador Doreen Kapanga from the mission was not a solution.

“The deputy ambassador cannot authorize any payment. The ambassador is the in charge of the mission. He is the one who authorizes payments. He does this in agreement with officials from the ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.

He therefore said there was need to widen the net of investigation to include the ambassador and the officials from the Foreign Affairs ministry.

Chikago said the K184 million that has been abused falls under special funding.

“The investigation should start from the ministry of foreign affairs, those who were sending the money, the culprits should be fired. Am sure there is a syndicate in the ministry that is abusing the money,” he said.

Chikago, who is also second director of Foreign Affairs in opposition Malawi Congress Party also tipped the government to ensure that embassies are funded only after getting expenditure returns that shows how monthly funds are used.

Members of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee challenged the government to institute audits in all its missions to find out the extent of the fraud.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Kasaila  said President Peter Mutharika has also ordered that the National Audit Office should take over the audit in Ethiopia.

“We need to audit all of our embassies to make sure that no single penny has been lost through these dubious transactions. Secondly, for those that were involved, there sure will be measures taken.”

“It is a criminal offense, and that has already been reported to the law enforcers, for them to take action,” said Kasaila

He added that other measures would be taken to make sure that there is a financial management system in all embassies and ensure that such transactions never happen again.