K7.1mil fraud case of 8 employees for Salima District Council to start

Eight employees of Salima District Council will soon appear before the court to answer charges of theft by public servant after an audit report revealed that they did not account for money amounting to K7.1 million which they collected on behalf of the council, as revenue collectors.

The eight, who were in May this year suspended to pave way for thorough audit investigation, were surrendered to Salima Police on Friday after the Council Finance Committee meeting concluded that they had a case to answer.

According to the Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilor Peter Kadammanja, the council through its auditor Charles Kamvabingu initiated the audit in the revenue section after noting that revenue was not increasing despite all efforts and the growing business community.

Presenting the report before the committee, Kamvabingu said, according to his investigations the eight were under declaring the cash they were receiving from various business licenses.

“Our findings have shown that the eight did not account for more money than we thought at the time we suspended them. So far, the figure has risen from K 2.1 million to K7.1 million,” said Kamvabingu.

Kamvabingu further said at the time of their suspension, the eight confirmed that they had indeed not accounted for some of the money they collected while carrying out their job as revenue collectors.

The eight identified as Blessings Banda, Daniel Chenjerani, Judith Duncan, Maxity Makhuwira, John Mitawa, Henry Gama, Mercy Matola and Manuel Chiwoko are suspected of each not having accounted for K1,560,240.00, K1,332,020.00, K1,329,500.00, K1,255,200.00, K910.000.00, 345,000.00, 219,500.00 and K168,500.00 respectively.

Civil Society Organizations in the district have since applauded the council for taking matters of public finance serious.

Executive Director of Salima Governance Network, Thomas Mwagupili, said the civil society is happy that the council has shown commitment to account for all the money it collects from the public.

“We believe that the stand which our council has taken will give a good example to all workers at the council especially those entrusted with public money,” said Mwagupili.

Mwagupili said that loss of revenue through fraud by some council officers is affecting service provision by the councils.

In another interview, a businessman Dalitso Gome said that fraudulent acts by some ill minded officials discourages business people from supporting the council through timely paying of licenses and other fees.

 

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nsanai kugwe
nsanai kugwe
6 years ago

ENA POMPO POMPO MAINA DI AMOUNT??????????????????////

nsanai kugwe
nsanai kugwe
6 years ago

awa nde right away maina out ndi amount for each. koma akakhala mabwana nde ai koma TILLEY, ai ma komishoni.owo?????????????????////

Nganiza Muthulika
6 years ago

Clean the whole City assemblies. And road traffic. They are so corrupted. Things are not going well in Malawi. Malawi and Malawians have become a shameful. What is wrong? We are want to be rich but do We have to steal from ourselves? We have spoilled our own nation. Look AT Muntharikas came back and became rich within few years. How many years it took for Bill Gates to be rich? These two brothers were not rich. Claim they were. Bingu had NO house in Malawi. Lived area 15 with relatives. Before Muluzu gave him our nation he had mini… Read more »

abiti
abiti
6 years ago

Don’t you think it’s high time we start paying to councils bank accounts directly and show proof of payment to revenue collectors?

Ted
Ted
6 years ago
Reply to  abiti

Brilliant idea

Nganiza Muthulika
6 years ago
Reply to  abiti

I agree with you. Collecting money is giving people ok to steal. What is wrong with the modern system of banking. Water bills and electricit bills is working. Come on its old fashion to collect money door to door. NO country is doing that. Go to Zambia and learn. Malawians are so behind in every development and yet there are many educated people Who can do a good system of payment.

Kaitano
Kaitano
6 years ago
Reply to  abiti

Very good point buddy

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