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… Read more »
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… Read more »
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.