More details in K53bn ‘Uniform-gate’: PAC notes necktie costs K50 000, trousers K127 000
Despite businessman Abdul Karim Batawara obtaining a suppression order from the court against Nation newspaper from reporting details of the controversial K53 billion Immigration uniforms supply deal, more details are emerging of exorbitant prices for items inside the ‘uniform-gate’ scandal.
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Alekeni Menyani said they had expected to quiz top government officials to explain queries relating to the deal with documents in their possession showing such as a necktie for an Immigration officer pegged at about K49 280 and in some cases gloves quoted at K67 500.
He said Karim’s two firms Africa Commercial Agency and Reliance Trading Company were charging Immigration Department a single uniform shirt for at about K60 000 and in some cases a belt quoted at K100 000.
The suppliers in 2012 and the Immigration Department entered into a K9 billion contract to supply uniforms and other accessories. However, delivery only started five years after the deal was signed.
Menyani said the deal shows the suppliers were charging government cane sticks K142 500, ladies trousers for Immigration officers at K127 500 and woolen socks K19 750.
Other items noted to be subject of profiteering included Trevor’s at K35 810, reflective cones at K149 250 and lockers at K17 752 800.
Menyani said his committee is interested to enquire how government would have committed itself to such a K53.9 billion contract.
Recently, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) wrote President Peter Mutharika to intervene in the matter.
Leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera also condemned the dubious deal and demanded thorough investigations for possible fraud.
During his news conference in Lilongwe on Wednesday, estranged Vice-President Saulos Chilima also rapped on the controversial K53.9 billion claim.
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This Karim fraudster of a person has got to be removed from Malawi and go back to Calcutta or wherever he came from. Why should we let one person ruin our country with his corrupt Government administration??? He needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and then deported. Nyasi za m’mwenye keathu kuno ayi
Karim need to be taught about Contract , he knows nothing that any contract can be terminated for a number of reasons such as;
(1) Time elapse
(2) Frustration
(3) Fraud
(4) Death and etc.
So in his contract Frustration is there due to his delays.
Time elapse is also there as 5 years has passed without any delivery of goods
Fraud as well is in it bcoz we can see that prices were dubiously charge.
Immigration and Batawala CASE are one thing. APM is another different thing. Please learn to separate APM from the CASE. APM sizikumukhudza. Thats why I and my family and our entire clan and all Malawians tagwirizana zodzavotera APM. DPP booooma! Winawe ukomoka pa 21May pano. Zako izo!!
Please go back to all records including previous supplies in the military, police and prison etc. this is just part of the story.
Nkaokhetsa munthu modzi watchena almost 450000 eish bola ndingozima
Come 2019 our brothers and sisters will still vote them back to government.
Shame!!
That’s how unbelievable some Malawians are. Do we still wonder why we are one of the poorest countries on earth despite not having been on war? We are a laughingstock even to our neighbours. They are making steady progress, ife koma kungodzitumula, kudzitamanda, kudziyikapo ngati zenizeni.
Pathetic.
He is not the only one. Many Indians have reaped off Malawi big time .This is just a tip of an iceberg. That is why they even say, dziko ndi wanu ndalama ndi wathu .
kuba kosachita nako manyazi, tie K50,000?
Sokosi 20, 000 ; ma golovesi 67, 500!
Malawians are sick and stupid in their heads — Peter – goodal –mchacha -nankhumwa -zameer -batatawala are all thieves not leaders
Maliseche govt
and the president decides not to comment anything about it, he comments on mere stupid things, hence why i and my family dont trust the presdient, he has let the nation down. he is happy because all his grandchildren will not face any of this problems.
This is really sickening. Although there are a few good Indians the majority just came/come here to defraud the government, steal our tax money, sell fake products and overcharge in their Mickey mouse 1920 tea rooms passing for shops. The future government should not treat with kid gloves these thieves. They should all be arrested prosecuted given stiff sentences. After they serve jail they should be deported. They have prejudiced they continued stay in Malawi.