HRDC demand Malawi government to account for K6.2bn Covid-19 funds

Human Rights Defenders Coalition has asked Malawi government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) to explain how the K6.2 billion funds meant for Covid-19 pandemic fight was spent, saying it has received several queries , concerns and tip-offs from the general public suggesting plunder.

Trapence: They hold and use these funds on behalf of the public and it is to the same public that is demanding accountability.

President Lazarus Chakwera  recently disclosed that K6.2 billion was released to Dodma, and he gave a breakdown of how the funds were spent but raised more questions than answers on some expenditures.

HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence and other leaders,  said in a statement dated February 4 2021: “On January 17 2021, President Lazarus Chakwera told the country, through a televised national address, that his administration had, in August 2020, released K6.2 billion for use by Dodma in combating the pandemic.

“According to the President, the K6.2 billion was used as follows: K60 million on planning meetings; K535 million facilitating the return of Malawians from South Africa; K185 million on public awareness on media platforms; K580 million on border patrols (and) K72 million to support victims of gender-based violence during the pandemic with materials and cash transfers.”

One such expenditure which President Chakwera disclosed as civic education through what he said all media platforms. But Malawi media organisations have feigned ignorance of using any of the Covid-19 funds for adverts or civic education.

HRDC said while the efforts were good, it was disappointed at the apparent display of Dodma’s failure to account for the resources through giving Malawians a detailed account on how they have spent the resources.

“Equally shocking is the information that in the North, places such as Songwe, Chitipa and several other borders have never had patrols since July 2020. One wonders: What did Dodma do with K580 million it spent on border patrols?” queries HRDC.

The coalition said it “strong suspect” misappropriation of funds in how the K6.2 billion Covid-19 funds was spent.

HRDC said “driven by the spirit of accountability and transparency” and fully aware of the Ombudsman’s damning report on the use of funds by the National Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, the coalition is demanding that Malawi government, through Dodma  should  provide the nation with a detailed expenditure.

Dodma spokesperson Chipiliro Khamula  could not immediately comment.

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Gibson
Gibson
3 years ago

Anthu ku Malawi pamene amasankha amasankha munthu ofuna u President osati mbusa ayi! Tisasokoneze!

Alungwana
Alungwana
3 years ago

The money is just too much.
Nevertheless I believe the president knew what he was saying.
If he really meant it and that these people have just tricked him, then he should do something on the matter.
I love chakwera but it seems things are getting out of hand.
The complaints are becoming too much

CULTURE
CULTURE
3 years ago

Trapence you are a fool. During demos you used to meeting Chakwela. Why can’t you do the same to talk to Chakwela about your concern. May be you are no longer important to him that he can not allow you to meet him? You are one of many myopic malawians. You also had a MANGO issue which is just like what Chakwela is doing.. Mwakumana makhuluku nokha nokha.

Bwande
Bwande
3 years ago
Reply to  CULTURE

Trapence but your brother is also with Chakwela in State house , you just want to fool us

mtete
mtete
3 years ago

Complaints like this one require immediate and plausible responses otherwise they have the potential to erode the trust the electorate has in the administration. Malawians voted in the belief that corruption and plunder of public resources would stop. To think what they abhored is still happening is very sad and does not inspire confidence.

Zio ine
Zio ine
3 years ago

Dont waste your time demanding for explanation this government is full of thieves. Chiponda Kandodo stole all the money for the independence celebration and no report nothing. Kapondangaga and Kalumbu stole money through cross roads hotel and nothing was done. Chakwra is forming cartels of relatives at state house so that they are able to steal..uyu mbusa uzimu unamuchokera kalekale mbava yagule iyi. Azipongozi ake malova onse wawapatsa zintchito ku state house. Stupid.

Justice for all
Justice for all
3 years ago

Shame Malawi it’s toatl cased country

Citizen
3 years ago

Some comments here seem to be motivated by sheer political fanaticism. The article is not saying money has been abused. It’s only after some people fail to account for what they received that we can start using these cursing statements. I think what is important is to see what government does if some people fail to explain how they used the resources given to them. Even in countries where corruption is low, what really matters is how government reacts when some people are found on the wrong side of the law of course with credible evidence. Most of the comments… Read more »

Mpakateni
3 years ago
Reply to  Citizen

Does accountability have to wait for HRDC or anybody to ask for it. Does Government knows its duties? Why should Government be reactive? Can Malawians believe that they have an honest government?

Ndafera Nkhande
Ndafera Nkhande
3 years ago

DODMA is a tool for stealing money.There is no holy truth on what the president explained on the expenditure of the funds.Even Judas could cast demons at one time before he thought of betraying his master.Love of money is the root of all evil.Repent before it is too late and remember wapatsogolo adzakhala pa mbuyo.

Phwisa
Phwisa
3 years ago

I thank Minister of Civic education, Mr Mtambo for tipping HRDC about the mess at DODMA

John chidongo
3 years ago

Moti kungochita miting kuoononga ma Million. Koma boma likuyendetsedwadi ndi mbuli ili ndi ambusadi. Or kusadziwa budgets ko.

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