NGO sues DPP over K145 million Malawi Police ration saga: Give party 2 days to repay

Mzuzu-based Youth and Society  organisation  has asked the  ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to refund K145 million which was deposited in the party’s Standard Bank account by businessman Zameer Karim of Pioneer Investment who is facing investigations on fraud.

Kajoloweka: Instruct lawyers to take legal action if DPP fails to refund the money

There have been mounting calls for  President Peter Mutharika’sresignation after a leaked report by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) indicated he may have benefited  from a K2.8 billion ($3.9m) contract to supply food to the police.

The report claims Karim deposited K145 million into an account belonging to the ruling DPP, of which the president is the sole signatory.

In the demand letter, Youth and Society’s lawyers Ritz Attorneys addressed to DPP secretary general Greizedar Jeffrey, the NGO is demanding that the party  refund the money.

“We have instructions from Youth and Society (YAS), a duly registered non-government organisation (our client) to demand a refund of the sum of MWK145,000,000 (OneHundred and Fourty-Five Million Malawi Kwacha) paid by Pioneer Investment bycheque No. 000043 dated 13 April 2016 to the account indicated in subject line. We demand that the refund be made to the Government of Malawi.

“You are no doubt aware that the said moneys represent proceeds of a fraudulent sham procurement by officers at Malawi Police Service in conjunction with one Zameer Karimof Pioneer Investment that resulted in the sum of MWK466, 000,000.00 of consolidatedrevenue being misappropriated under the so-called ration packs contract between theMalawi Police Service and Pioneer Investment, according to the leaked investigationreport of the Anti-Corruption Bureau,” reads the letter, signed by lawyer Bright Theu, in part.

It continues that the Youth and Society is baffled that even after the party members andespecially party president/chairman learnt of the fraud that yielded the sum ofMWK466 million, of which MWK145 million is considered a part of, they have not ingood conscience refunded let alone committed to refund the moneys to government forthe use and benefit of the people of Malawi.

“Please note that unless the sum of MWK145 million is repaid to a Government accountand evidence of the same is provided to us on behalf of YAS; or you indicate to us howyou intend to repay the said sums within two days hereof, we have instructions to takenecessary steps to recover what rightfully and beneficially belongs to the people ofMalawi.”

In an interview with Nyasa Times, Youth and Society executive director Charles Kajolowekaconfirmed having instructed Ritz Attorneys to push for a refund.

“What we want is for the money to be returned to government because it has been it is clear that the money was acquired through fraudulent and dubious means via the police contract. As such, the money should go back to the source.

“Although we know that the ACB has a job to do in prosecuting the guilty parties, what is key right now is that the money should be returned to the Malawian people. We need it for essential services,” he said.

Kajoloweka noted that the expectation was that the DPP and Mutharika would return the money once it became clear that ‘the money was dirty’ but that has not been the case.

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Odala
Odala
5 years ago

My big question is, where is Mr Karim???? he should be summoned as well. they DPP and Karim are money lauderers period!

Petulo the Liar and Thief

Take him on. APM knows what he was doing. That is stealing tax payers money. They chose food rations unlike scania buses because rations are perishables. Mbava zenizeni izi. You cannot follow rations to the septic tanks.

#DzukaniAmalawi
#DzukaniAmalawi
5 years ago

In fact I would encourage Youth & Society Organisation to go ahead and lodge a case to be heard at an international court. Most likely the fraudulently-obtained funds ended up at some bank overseas. That would be a case pf money laundering and racketeering of note or can be defined as proceeds of crime. These courts in Malawi are captured and are in the pockets of politics. ACB is even worse. Its at best biased at worst clueless and brainless 9 most likely also captured). No high profile case has ever been successfully concluded or any of the obvious per… Read more »

lilian
lilian
5 years ago

This is useless case. the transaction between police and pioneer was purely business. Pioneer did not force the police to accept his request to adjust price by 20 pc. the police was freeto decline if they were not happy with the deal and offer to another bidder. people should know that there are several variables for the exchange rate. some of which are cost of financing and others. about APM being sole signatory, it is purely a mandate between the banker and client. the client can choose to have one signatory by way of a resolution. No one is forced… Read more »

jones
jones
5 years ago
Reply to  lilian

so why did you and your party question Joyce when her party received a donation from Lutepo

Petulo the Liar and Thief
Reply to  lilian

Why do Malawians back kuba? This is pure kuba by the president. Is the ACB stupid when they say that APT cannot be prosecuted at the moment because he is immune. Can the whole president not question where the money came from? Zinazi tamaganizani. Musamakhale ngati your brain is at the bottom.

Napoleone
Napoleone
5 years ago

Kajoloweka please the funding you have to implement youth projects than wasting money on legal battles. We know it is one way you are stealing the funds because part of the legal fees., you have a portion. Just to remind you that ACB has not finished the investigation. We are messing up with their investigation , even if there is truth in the story, things can change. Until proven guilty , then you can say the police deal was a trash. I wonder if your lawyers are serious , they should know that the case is not proved in court,… Read more »

Agenda Setting Theory
Agenda Setting Theory
5 years ago
Reply to  Napoleone

These people are making a political statement.its not about winning the case but making sure that the bring the issue to the public attention

Gulukunyinda
Gulukunyinda
5 years ago
Reply to  Napoleone

Wakwiya Cadet kkkkkk tiyeni nazo

Panganani
5 years ago

NGOs and CSOs are now talking. CONGRATULATIONS!KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.TIYENI NAZONI MBVAZI! Next is to request the REGISTRAR GENERAL TO DEBAR PIONEER INVESTMENTS LTD , ITS CURRENT SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY BUSINESS FLOATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF GOVERNMENT since they are joint and severally CULPABLE IN THE MATTER.

Cashgate1
Cashgate1
5 years ago

Shaaaaa! kufuna kukweza BP ya big man eti? It seems a good move, though it could be too early considering issues of evidence bra bra bra since the investigations are said to be not conclusive.

Central
Central
5 years ago
Reply to  Cashgate1

Adavomera kale kuti zonse zoola zinachitikazo adachita ndio ndipo ndioona, kungoti inali donation! Ndiye nkumati donation yocholela ku ndalama zokuba, kuonjezera mwachinyengo, mosatsata ndondomekoooooo!! Olandilanso ndalama zonunkhanzo mkukhala munthu yemweyo dziko lidamupatsa mphamvu kuti asamale ndalama za a Malawi? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa yalakwa, akuluwa sakusamala chuma koma kuonongaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa heavyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

kaka ni dada
kaka ni dada
5 years ago

Izoooooo! Abweze adaba za aMalawi.

DPP Woyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

The president who is the signatory of the account and DPP party should be charged with money Laundering. Am saying this because Money Laundering is defined as recelving,benefiting or assisting or having a hand in proceeds of a crime. The source of the 145M is a crime committed against Malawian through corruption. ………………………….Jai Banda what’s your take?

Noxyy
Noxyy
5 years ago

Ma youth opusa inu,mwasowa chochita

Central
Central
5 years ago
Reply to  Noxyy

Usanati unya ndi amuya akowoooooooooooooo

Gulukunyinda
Gulukunyinda
5 years ago
Reply to  Central

Kong’onthani kumutu

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