PP asks Mutharika to act on Zambia maize procuremt scandal: Fire Minister Chaponda, Admarc boss Mulumbe

People’s Party (PP) has asked President Peter Mutharika to institute investigations into  the rot in the procurement process of maize from neighbouring Zambia.

PP said in a statement that President Mutharika should  relieve of their duties CEO for state-produce trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc), Foster Mulumbe and  Minister of Angriculture, Irrigation and Water  George Chaponda to pave way for investigations.

Orange Partners, an arm of the PP, said in a statement that they are shocked with the amount of  revelations made by media that the DPP led government lied to the nation on Zambia Maize deal and ad that at least K9.5 billion was misappropriated in the process.

“Nevertheless what is more disgusting is the level of impenitent demonstrated by the Admarc officials and negligence by the Ministry of Agriculture,” reads the statement sgned by the Partners’ national coordinator, who is also PP administrative secretary, Joseph Chikwemba.

Chikwemba said the Partners have concluded that the  fight against corruption in this country will remain “a kindergarten song” until leaders  and those in positions of authority stop talking tough but rather begin to walk the talk.

“Unfortunately most leaders prefer to govern where institutions are very weak or do not exist, so that they will not be accountable for their corrupt behavior and abuse of office, no wonder the Anti-Corruption Bureau is just a club.  With the absence of effective checks and balances, corruption continues unabated over the past 50 years after independence,” Chikwemba pointed out.

PP has since challenged Mutharika to deal with corruption without fear or favour and  reaffirm the oath he took publicly while holding the Bible, and pledged that he will do what is right.

“In his own words he declared ‘I do solemnly swear that I will well and truly perform the functions of the high office of President of the Republic of Malawi, and that I will do right to all manner of people according to law without fear or favor, affection or ill-will. So help me God’

“We are hereby reminding him that doing what is right to all manner of people according to law without fear or favor, affection means do all what is necessary to advance the welfare of all Malawians and demonstrate that he is on top of the game in fighting against corruption which is number one contributing factor of all evils that Malawians are facing today, including hunger, disease, poverty, unemployment and poor infrastructures,” said Chikwemba.

He said the President should demonstrate that he is not only interested in anti-corruption campaign and take pleasure in talking tough against it but that he is willing to sacrifice for the betterment of this struggling nation.

“We understand the other definition of corruption is misuse of public power for private or political gain a manner that contravenes the rules of the game. Malawi is looking for leadership  that is committed in service delivery, good governance, zero tolerance on corruption, public reforms, procurement reforms by encouraging competition in providing goods and services to the state through use of more open procedures,” added.

The maize purchase deal is currently marred with controversy regarding contractual issues involving  Admarc and a private Zambian company, Kaloswe Commuter and Courier Limited.

While Admarc boss Foster Mulumbe insists that Admarc is buying the staple grain from Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF), a government agency, documents show that Admarc is actually using Kaloswe.

Meanwhile,  Kaloswe is suing Admarc for breach of contract.

According to Kaloswe chief executive officer, Isaac Kapambwe, his company signed a contract with Admarc in June 2016 to purchase and deliver maize.

Kapambwe said his company has “all communications”  on the deal with Admarc