HRDC calls for Malawi civil service overhaul
Rights activists, the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) is calling for a complete overhaul of the civil service following the plunder of K6.2 billion Covid-19 money by some civil servants.
HRDC says there should be a complete overhaul of the civil service, investigation of all companies involved in unlawful activities, strengthening procurement systems and placing of a legal response to deter the acts.
They further demand that all money lost should be paid back and senior controlling officers including those in Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Capital Hill and in councils to be reprimanded.
In a statement read during a news conference  in Lilongwe, the HRDC has given the government seven days for all suspected culprits to be arrested failing which the human rights group will mobilise Malawians to go on the streets on April 29 this year.
“As HRDC, we will not rest until our demands are met,” warned the organisation’s national coordinator Luke Tembo .
Hesaid an audit report by the National Audit Office (NAO) on the embattled Covid funds shows that OPC handpicked a private firm, Pest Chem 1B at a cost of K97 million to fumigate government buildings although the Lilongwe District Health Office (DHO) could have done the job at a much lower price.
Leaders of the coalition also insist the government must put in place a recovery plan for the plundered money or demonstrations will be held on April 29.
Meanwhile, critics are imploring the government to act swiftly on recommendations made in the recently released report on the usage and accountability of the K6.2 billion Covid-19 funds.
The audit report has established that a large sum of the funds have been lost to irregular procurement processes.
The audit which was ordered by President Lazarus Chakwera was conducted by the National Audit Office (NAO).
According to the NAO, funds were largely misappropriated through flouted procurement processes, unjustifiable allowances, fuel, with other sums being unaccounted for.
For instance over K493.9 million accounts for expenditure flaws in procurement, over K80 million for allowance irregularities, over K83 Million was on irregular cash transfers out of which K12 million went missing.
The development comes against concerns of inadequate funding and support for hospitals in the fight against Covid 19 during the time the funds were being plundered.
Among the recommendations, the NAO advises that officers who took part in the malpractice pay back the money and that the malpractices that are criminal in nature be handed over to law enforcement agencies.
Reacting to the revelations, political analyst George Phiri hints that President Chakwera’s next move will determine his administration’s stance on dealing with corruption.
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Things stopped working the moment you bad people stepped in government. You have shaken the foundations of the system by accusing anyone of being a political person
We goofed big time, electing this poser
Just a chlorinated solution. Chlorine cost around k6,000.00 per 20kg.
Hot piece of cake on the table! Do not hunt what you can’t kill.
Don’t forget that Chikosa is against the removal of cadets in the civil service. Worse still he says interdicted thieves should still be paid our taxes. The same civil servants are stealing from us. They have built houses from the stolen money. APM encouraged them to steal. When he saw cars for sale he said it was a sign of an improved economy. This is where stolen money by these thieving civil servants ended up. Discipline in the civil service ended in 1994. Cashgate stopped. Stealing started from APM and his family down to Chisale to civil servants.
Seven days is not far
Let’s just again to confirm the presidency
Pali zinthu zina, umungodziwiratu kuti ndi ana kamodzi.
Its difficult for HRDC to claim a noble ground and accuse the tonse of anything.
It was clear in the beginning that ,Malawi was heading for disastrous leadership in Tonse team.
We can pardon ourselves for this because we had two devils to chose from.
Unfortunately we didn’t use the ” better the devil you know, than the angel you don’t know” wisdom.
Here we are today.
“Let’s sort all this as a country” will be the best approach by us as citizens.
HRDC supported and trusted thieves. Now you have realised your mistakes and want us to bail you. To hell with your mapwevupwevu government!
Look now Tonse has borrowed what PP used to defend themselves when Cash gate was uncovered as amayi used to say she was the one who called for auditing. This is very unfortunate for a poor economy like ours.As things are it is better to close all corruption files as it is selective justice .