Ex-Malawi VP Kachali says tractors deal not wrong
Former vice-president Khumbo Kachali has backed the decision by the Joyce Banda administration dispose of farm equipment, including tractors, bought using a $50 million (about K37 billion) loan from India in 2011, saying it was not wrong and that he is also a beneficially and still using his tractor.
There have been assertions that the equipment purchased by the Bingu wa Mutharika administration using a loan from the Exim Bank of India was archaic but Kachali ysaid the equipment is functioning and in good condition.
The sale of tractors and farm equipment meant to facilitate mechanisation of agriculture has caused an uproar in the country but government says it was a decision made by the previous cabinet and that each and every penny will be accounted for by December.
Said Kachali:“I indeed bought a tractor but I was not allowed to get it until I fully paid for it. This tractor is functioning and I am still using it. I had to buy this tractor because I needed such a machine to use at my farm.”
Asked if he felt that the cabinet made a bad decision to sell the equipment, Kachali said, he was not part of the cabinet then but that everything was done transparently.
“There was a tender in the media, I expressed interest and I was successful so there is nothing wrong there,’ said Kachali.
Humphrey Mvula a political and social commentator said that the the decision by
cabinet to sell the tractors shows that some individuals were greedy instead of protecting the taxpayer.
“The tractors were not supposed to be sold not being sold without following the right procedures and those who bought them should pay fully,” said Mvula.
The tractors were meant for distribution to agriculture development divisions (ADDs) to enable smallholder farmers graduate to mechanisation by hiring the equipment. However, only 77 of the tractors were distributed to ADDs with 100 sold.
Government indicated that the tractors were archaic in terms of technical aspects; hence, their disposal which largely benefitted government officials and politically-connected individuals.
But the manufacturer, Sonalika International of India year disputed government’s assertion and instead stressed that the tractors were “manufactured using the latest and best engineering technology available at the time”. The manufacturer added that the supplied tractors were suitable for operation in Malawi.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Ichi nacho ndicho chindere chakufikapu. Chili ku Court uku vimabachi ne waka nthe no zeru cha. FORSEK.
These tractors were advertised. Lazy and sleepy Malawians did not apply.
Khumbo akunena zoona uyu
nacimimba uyuso ana okulila kuba. anakula conco uyu. mmene amabera ku cinyonga eee
Mr. Kachale why did you not buy a tractor from Agason Motors and chose to buy one from the Government? Does Government run a commercial entity? Can you mention one ordinary Malawian from Nsanje or Chitipa who also bought any of these tractors apart from you greedy politicians? Now I don’t sympathize with you – court must uphold MEC’s decision to declare Mutharika winner of 2019 presiential election. You politicians are the same, no one is honest. Mukuluza mulandiu umeneu agologolo inu so that you don’t come back to Government. None of you politician is giving us hope – you… Read more »
Mwatilengesa chomene adada Kachali.
Unazolowera kuba mabedi iwe
It is clear that Khumbo Kachale has no remorse at all. As a vice president during Joice Banda’s administration, he and his cronies decided to get the tractors meant for Malawians out of greed. This man cant be trusted no wonder Malawians denied him during the may elections. Unfortunately some of us are still clapping hands for crooks like him. Let everyone who benefited from this stupid deal pay the amount in full with interest since the Malawi kwacha has been devalued multiple times after they acquired the machines
Queen Cashgate and his son Kathyali. You are backing the theft of tractors because you benefited from it. Such is the calibre of politicians supporting blood-thirsty Chakwerang’ombe. Looking for a chance to get into government to plunder again.
There goes a stupid recycled politician again. These people belongs in jail. Tractors were meant for poor farmers but he used his influence to buy at a lower cost. Kachali needs to go back to Phwezi and rewrite his MSCE. Useless crooked Tumbuka politician.