Makande, Chioko charged, to seek bail: Malawi cashgate

Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has charged former governing People’s Party (PP) executive member Hophmally Makande who handed himself over to ACB following a tip that there was a warrant for him and Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) director of legal services and company secretary Ishmael Chioko.

Makande has been charged with conspiracy to defraud government  while Chioko was arrested for his role in the alleged transferring of properties belonging to former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo who, alongside his wife Thandizo.

Chioko has been charged with aiding and abetting a crime and money laundering in his capacity as chairperson of the board of trustees for the ironically named Good Deeds Trust currently under ACB probe.

The two suspects are expected to be taken to court on Thursday for bail hearing.

ACB has stated that there will be more arrests as they follow corruption and fraud trails laid bare by British forensic auditors Baker Tilly who went to the bottom of the scam, in which some politicians and public servants stole about K20 billion through questionable business or fraudulent means in recent years.