MERA board fires Kamoto, Hausi accused of diverting K3bn to Admarc to buy maize
The board of Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has now fired chief executive officer (CEO) Raphael Kamoto and director of finance Elias Hausi who were senton forced leave to pave way for investigations into the diversion of K3 billion from the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) State produce trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).
Both Kamoto and Hausi have confirmed the development.
The investigations were carried after Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe summoned board chairperson of Mera Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe to check progress on allegations of abuse of office at the institution.
Nyasa Times could not obtain comments from Bvumbwe who is reportedly outside the country and Mera board vice-chairperson Felisia Kilembe kept her comments close to the chest, saying only the chair is mandated to speak to the media.
But Hausi has said he will vehemently challenge the decision of the board.
“I will appeal against the board’s decision,” he said.
Mera was ordered to refund the K3 billion into the PSF as ordered by Secretary to the Treasury Ronald Mangani in his letter dated May 19 2016.
The energy regulator diverted K3 billion from the PSF to enable Admarc to buy maize.
Finance Minister Gondwe described the decision as illegal.
Please stop these sensational comments. Track Kamoto’s cv – he get’s fired everywhere he goes even before he was Chilima’s in-law. At PCC was he Chilima’s inlaw that time? At Packaging Industries was he Chilima’s inlaw that time? At B & C was he Chilima’s inlaw then/
If he picks a job thru Politics (like he did at MRA) he should not complain when the same politicians fire him.
In any case, he has the right to sue MERA for wrongful dismissal and spill the beans – if you know him, he does not need your sympathy.
Pls stop glorifying Chilima- those who know him will tell you what he is- a real snake!
Kamoto is indeed a sacrificial lamb. The transfer of 3bn kwacha to DMARC raises so many questions. some of the unanswered questions are:
Who knew that MERA has idle money? Who proposed to ADMARC to approach MERA and ask them to borrow that much for maize purchases?, MERA has a Board that is answerable to PS and Minister of Energy and Mining while ADMARD Board is answerable to PS and Minister of Agri,Irrig,&Water Dev. but of course they have one common denominator which is a minister responsible for Statutory Corporations. Did Mr Kamoto wake up one morning and on his own just decided to transfer the money to ADMARC?
The most interesting part of this transaction is its coincidence with Zambia Maizegate.
Zamanyazi Cheap Politics. God is with Chilima, like it or not. Chimanga munadya a PAC atakuuzani kuti ngati chimanga sichipezeka muchoke pa mpando.
Kodi akuti Chairman wa Board amene anamulamula Kamoto kuti agulire chimanga ADMARC, boma linamuthawitsira ku MARDEF ndi cholinga choti Kamoto aikidwe mmabvuto? Ah a Dingiswayo Jere, Mulungu amaona. Kamoto sanachite kusankha kuti akhale mpongozi wa Chilima. Chilimanso sanalakwire kanthu amene anakutumani kuti mumuotchetse manja nzanu.
Did the money really buy maize? Can it be audited?
Are we saying the money was given to ADMARC without the authority of Bishop Bvumbwe and other board members? Who are you fooling MERA? It’s a pity men of God should be lying. I have always not supported appointment of Priests, Bishops, Pastors, Sheiks and the like to Boards, at least here in Malawi where lying in such institutions is the order of the day.
Under the very same DPP under Bingu Wamutharika we were the world’s second fastest growing economy after Qatar. I think leadership really matters. Malawi can be anything at anytime as long as we want to get there.
These are just sacrificial lambs. Who instructed MERA to transfer the funds to ADMARC? Someone is hiding can you please enlighten us.
yea i agree with you, there must be someone who ordered that who is not mentioned here
At least the right procedure was followed – forced leave to pave way for investigations! In some other similar and very recent cases bosses under such investigations have been allowed to continue to work, make decisions, even organising external trips for the very board members who are supposedly required to make judgment on their cases!
Something is not adding up here. We are not being told the whole story.
KKkkk koma ya. This guy is being persecuted because he has strong links with Chilima. Inside sources say that the DPP gurus..Goodall, Chaponda and Nankhumwa wanted the money diverted to purchase maize from them… In all essence Kamoto cannot just release that money without the Board acknowledging it. So ndale at its best…do you remember this Kamoto guy wanted build an office and followed all the required procurement in selecting terrastone contractors…BUT the ACB boss was at his neck again coz he wanted the chinese contractors. Similarly, at MRA it was Mbilizi who was advancing party agendas but him didnt want. My advice is Kamoto zitayeni …funani vepi kwina basi…you are a true professional and MERA’s plan to build an utra-modern office are shattered. Retire well Kamoto
Zoona , he is an uncle to Chilimas wife. Angozitayadi Malawi anawola pano BUT one day, God will see us thru.
Politics at its best. Kamoto is an uncle to Mrs Chilima. Za ziiiiii Malawi will never develop. Ndale zofuna kukhaulitsa wina basi.
We hear maize was bought in Zambia using a loan from PTA bank. Now the same ADMARC got money amounting to Mk3 bn from MERA to buy maize. Which maize? Is this not another grey area worth proper elaboration by Mulumbe? These guys must have stolen a lot of money. The Zambia saga must be a tip of the iceberg. Malawians as citizens should wake up from their deep slumber as this country is now in the hands of thieves. I beleive and have seen that DPP is indeed the architect of grand cash-gate in Malawi. No wonder under DPP, we are now the poorest country in the world. Shame!
I can not say I come from Malawi they laugh at me. Why should I be ashamed Iam not a thief. These thieves dont feel ashamed. They wear suits and ties go to Europe like innoncent people. But rotten animals. We others or poor have to be ashamed. NO government has been for The nation since Kamuzu. We are now insulted by Trump. Hej says Why Do run away from your countries? Hej said u go there and get high education live there 40 years Then come back home to steal poor peoples money. Its true. Very true. All Cashgates are highly educated including the finance minister, Chaponda etc