Malawi govt accountant arrested over K9.1mn ‘Cashgate’ theft: Tapiwa Ng’oma

The Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested Tapiwa Ruth Ng’oma who was working as an Accountant at the Accountant General’s Department for allegedely dafrauding government.

Ng’oma has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding government about K9, 179,620.00 through the systematic scheme dubbed Cashgate.

This is second arrest the Bureau has made this month in relation to Cashgate. Last week ACB nabbed Lilongwe-based businessman, Jimmy Mbuliro under the public graft scandal.

ACB Senior Public Relations Officer’ Egrita Ndala said arrested Ng’oma following a tip-off that she was making huge payments to companies for services not offered to government.

”The Anti-Corruption Bureau instituted investigations into the matter. It was established that some payments were made to Novat echnology and General Dealers,” said Ndala.

Ndala said Ng’oma made payments to Nova technology from the Ministry of Persons with Disabilities and Elderly and the Ministry of Health without offering to any service.

”It was also established that received advantage of K4, 059,320.00 and K5,120,300.00 from Nova technology.”

She is expected to be charged with two counts of corruptly obtaining an advantage contrary to Section 24 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, two counts of money laundering contrary to Section 35 (1) (c) of the Money Laundering, Proceeds of Serious Crimes and Terrorist Financing Act and two counts of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.

Ng’oma will be taken to Court after the Bureau has recorded a statement from her.