MPs demand 7 Malawi ministers implicated in K577bn cashgate to resign
Opposition members of parliament on Tuesday asked for Palriament to discuss K577 billion (about $856 million) financial analysis report in the wake of revelations that seven Cabinet ministers were allegedly involved in the mismanagement of the public funds.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has submitted 13 files related to the pilferage of public fund between 2009 and December 31 2014 following the report prepared after the findings by the business advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) titled Financial Analysis Report: Reconstruction of the Malawi Government Cashbook for Purposes of Further Investigation.
Firebrand politican, Rumphi East MP Kamlepo Kalua (People’s Party-PP) wanted the House to waive all business planned for the day to deliberate on the Cashgate report which has implicated ministers sitting on the government front bench.
Kalua also suggested that the suspected seven Cabinet ministers should be thrown of Parliament and only be allowed back after being cleared of any wrong doing.
Mzimba West MP Harry Mkandawire (PP) echoed Kalua’s sentiments that the matter is already in public domain after Malawi News and Nyasa Times reported on Saturday, saying the ministers if they have any integrity – as one of the three pillars of national development – should no longer hold their positions.
“These Cabinet ministers know themselves and if they have a shred of honour, they should have resigned until investigations on the matter are over,” up-front talking Mkandawire said.
He said the matter is of public importance .
But the Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya said it was a “preliminary report “ which could not be tabled.
Msowoya gagged MPs, saying “ we cannot believe what the newspapers write” threatening to throw out any member commenting on the DPP cashgate.
In a June 19 2015, NAO said the audit analysis had identified significant discrepancies between payments made from government bank accounts and cashbook records held in the Integrated Financial Management and Information System (Ifmis), the government’s electronic payment system.
Revelations of the K577 billion cashgate came hot on the heels of a forensic audit report by British firm, RSM (formely called Baker Tilly), that established that K24 billion was looted from Capital Hill between April and September 2013 under the administration of Joyce Banda and her People’s Party (PP).
Banda is on record saying “ There must be a stubborn link between the MK577 billion scandal of 2009 and 2012 and the MK20 billion cashgate of 2013.”
The K577 billion cashgate audit report will be a stern test to President Peter Mutharika committement to fight corruption without fear or favour.
Corruption in Malawi is severe, well-known, cuts across many sectors, and is frequently debated and discussed in the media.
Such corruption undermines human rights in multiple ways: a direct defiance of the rule of law and accountability. By unlawfully interfering with resources that should be available to realize fundamental rights such as the rights to health, water, food, and education—either through illegally appropriating public funds for personal wealth or rendering access to services subject to bribes, which are illegal—corruption leads to violations of human rights that may have disastrous consequences.
Observers also note that lack of political will has crippled Malawi’s anti-corruption bureau, undermining their efforts through political interference and threats.
Given Malawi’s political patronage system, it is highly unlikely that President Mutharika will put his trusted ministers in the dock .
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The whole story begins now. Thats Why Malawians should learn to read in between lines. DPP has along been aware that they are the archtect of cashgate in Malawi. PP simply inherited it. That explains Why JB did not hesitate to institite forensic aidit into the matter. Watch how Mtharika will react to this NAO report. These people fooled Malawians that it was JB who started cashgate. The unsuspecting Malawians as usual danced to that tune. Eeeee, my foot!
When this type of issue came out during JBs tenure, she immediately invited BikerT to do forensic audit . APM ali ziiiiiiii, mwaona. What is he afraid of? What type of president is this lomwe man? Crook.
I will not be surprised to hear that someone has lodged a law suit against an individual or institution(s) for character assassination. And I am sure it will be tough time to defend themselves of their innocence in the court of law. Watch this space.
Honestly the Speaker fears DDP, why is he shielding the poiiticians implicated in the cashgate? MCP you have a stooge in your midst. This man’s moral obligations are questionable. Who is he protecting? The cashgate is a disease which has affected all Malawians, who are suffering when a few individuals amassed lots of government funds meant for development. Can such people be allowed to be free in this country? Mr Speaker, you are an asshole!
You cant arrest Chaponda he is govt and he is finishing 35 houses in LL. Mukamumanga amaliza ndani nyumbazo?
If this cashgate matter is still in the preliminary stage, then all cashgate related matters should be treated the same and that all those serving custodial sentences be released. Why are straight forward laws bent to suit the big shots at the expense of the poor? There is vote of no confidence in the Speaker and his deputies and the President. Hon George Chaponda was then right when he said that the fish has rotten from the head.
Nkhani koma imeneyi go konko isafele panjila ayi
What is wrong with this man called Msowoya. is he normal or he eats his own shit? Who is he trying to shield and what is his motive to behave in this manner? Malawians must rorganise themselves to march to Parliament to force Msowoya out of his position – this is a very serious matter. What does he mean by he cannot believe newspaper reports. ACB has acted on a number of pertinent issues based on newspapers reports. This is typical madness.
Arrest them