K22 million ‘cashgate’ at Limbe Leaf Tobbaco: Police quiz suspects

Fiscal Police has opened an investigation into Limbe Leaf Tobacco over  abuse od K22 million budgeted for construction of school blocks, bridges and other related social responsibility activities  which is suspected to have been “cashgated”.

A source close to the audit says the legal section of Limbe Leaf Tobacco submitted the formal complaint to Malawi Fiscal Police for investigation.

Police have started interrogating suspects.

“The fiscal Police has now started questioning Tiyanje Lipenga who is a principal suspect on the whole scam, and she has been suspended from the company to pave way for these investigations,” a source at the company disclosed.

The ‘cashgate’ has been uncovered  through an internal audit which the company instituted after smelling a rat over the way how the project officer responsible for Social Responsibility , Tiyanjane Lipenga  was handling  herself.

Just few weeks ago, the company summoned Ms Lipenga in order for her to explain her side on  the looting.

Limbe Leaf immediately suspended Lipenga.

When Nyasa Times called Lipenga, she confirmed the suspension but blamed what she called enemy-action at the company.

Limbe Limbe Human Resources Manager Francis Berekanyama when contacted  said: “Company policy  does not  give me mandate to talk about internal matters to the media , therefore I  cannot confirm or deny anything related to the issue in question.”

Limbe Leaf Public Relations officer Ireen Kumwenda said she cannot comment  on the issues because the matter has been handed over to  fiscal Police for  investigations.

“I don’t want to jeorpadise what fiscal Police is doing,”  she said.

Police said they would not immediately comment as investigations are underway.