Over 70 interdicted following ‘cashgate’ at Ministry of Agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture has interdicted over 70 of its personnel for allegedly embezzling millions of kwacha in the ministry after an internal audit suspected fraud.
The audit instituted by Principal Secretary in the ministry Erica Maganga revealed that the ‘cashgate’ syndicate was masterminded by 75 workers at the ministry’s headquarters and millions of kwacha has been lost.
‘Cashgate’ denotes the systematic skimming of millions of dollars of money from the government payment system.
Some personnel in the looting network were from Chitedze Research Station, Kasinthula Research Station, Sharp Valley Research Station and some from agriculture development divisions.
Ministry of Agriculture spokesman Hamilton Chimala has confirmed the development .
According to Chimala over 70 agriculture officers including technical workers and supporting staff in the ministry have been suspended.
“We are concerned as a Ministry that these people stole a lot of tax payers’ money which would have helped in the development of the country,” said Chimala as quoted by Zodiak.
The ministry also recommend suspension of over 30 personnel in other government departments of accounts, human resource and IT for alleged involvement in the scam.
Secretary to Treasury Rodney Mangani said recently the Malawian government was determined to ensure that cashgate scandal doesn’t recur in any form.
However, the ministry of agriculture looting will sent shivers to government.
Minister of Agriculture Allan Chiyembekeza’s number was out of reach when contacted for comment.
Germany, one of the countries that suspended aid to Malawi after a massive public sector graft scandal in 2012, granted Malawi finances about K125 million to conduct the audit into what has been known as DPP-era cashgate
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)c ontinued from where British auditor Baker Tilly, who uncovered traces of cashgate, left.
PwC report on the reconstruction of the cashbook in the wake of audit query for the K92 billion (US$204.4 million) mismanaged under the watch of the first Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration led by former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika, indicated that its actually over K570bn that might have been stolen from public coffers.
It contains findings of a forensic audit after a probe into the period Jan 1, 2009 – Dec 31, 2014.
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When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out , peoples hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong …. Ecclesiastes 8 verse 11…. SOLUTION PUNISH HARD ….
NANGA APA JB ALIPO?? PALIPONSE BWAMPINIYU ANGOTI MFWE MFWE MFWE KB, JB, JB. KAYA PANO UZITI CHANI KAYA.
KUTELEKU TIZITI UKUBA NDIWEYO, STUPID OF A PRESIDENT
Audit Shd Also Go To Other Mnistrez
Surfliano:Extend the investigation to MoeST,CEWED, in Urban CDSS,eg area 23,Mlodza.
THIS IS HAPPENING IN ALL MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS MIND YOU. WHEN ONE DOOR IS CLOSED MORE DOORS ARE OPENED, ONE IS THIS, FAKE ALLOWANCES ETC…………
ZALOWA DYERA BASI
This is what we need. Please clean all other departments too.
So my question is what is the next step to be taken after these suspects?
Please nyasa, can you print their names, we have seen them still reporting for duties. these are dengerious thielves they might spoil other things at work.
Please don’t blow the issue out of proportion
very embarrassing
audit imenei ifikeso other ministries cz in ths ministries we hv suspects too. These r the staff who makes wage bill 2 rise more than expected
Just hear yourself the type of civil servants being interdict ed! Where are the masters because to me most of the culprits are just juniors where is that big hand or authorizing signatory?
What shall you profit if you gain the whole world and loose your soul? What shall you give or pay in exchange with your life. Money will eat your flesh and will stand before God speaking against you. Repent for the Lord Jesus is full of compassion. Amen
Leave all dis to God, u wl neva & neva accompolish catching ziz perpetrators & bring dem to book.Jst wait 4 almighty God 4 all ds situation to judge!
PALIBE CHABWINO
WANTHU AKUYENDERA
PAYERE PAYERE !!
NANGA SI ZOMANGANA PALIBE
TIKATULUKA PA BAIL BASI
ZATHA
KATUNDUNSO SALANDA !!!