MACRA Board Chair diverts genset for home use

Malawi Communications and Regulatory Authority (Macra) Board Chair Mavis Mangulenje is at the centre of a dubious deal to supply a generator for Macra Lilongwe office which ended up supplying power to her own residence, Nyasa Times understands.

Procurement specialist Joseph Ngalawa initiated the procurement process of a 5KA generator at the pretext of supplying power to the Lilongwe office.

Mangulenje, a board chair, connived with Zaone General dealers to bid and eventually were awarded the deal to deliver the generator.

“On instructions of Director General Godfrey Itaye, the generator was instead delivered at the board Chairs residence ,” a driver who dropped the generator told Nyasa Times.

A visit to Macra Lilongwe Area 13  offices showed there is no generator delivered.

Meanwhile,  Ngalawa, who is the right hand man for Itaye has initiated another procurement process for a new generator for the Lilongwe office.

When contacted for comment, Ngalawa claimed there were some disgruntled people within the organization leaking official information to the media.

The plunder at Macra is a routine where the Director General has been awarding dubious contracts even to his own in-laws.

Ruling DPP officials have also benefitted from the plunder by being awarded millions worthy of contracts without supplying items.

Mangulenje, could not pick her phone when Nyasa Times contacted her to hear her side of the story.

In another development, Deputy Director for Administration Henry Macheso has been abusing a BP fuel card which is allocated 2million kwacha every month meant for fueling party vehicles.

“Whether party vehicles are refuelled or nor, Macheso goes to Nyambadwe BP Puma filling station where he draws cash. Finance Manager Phillip Nakoma authorises payments of such invoices” said a Macra official privy to the dealings..