Presidential inquiry clears Chaponda of wrongdoing – Solicitor General

The four-member commission of inquiry instituted by President Peter Mutharika to probe matters surrounding the procurement of maize from Zambia has cleared Minister of Agricultute, Irrigation and Water Development, Geogre Chaponda of any wrongdoing, Nyasa Times has learnt from a source close to Solicitor General Janet Chikaya Banda.

The source said the Solicitor General has tipped that Chaponda is  found “innoncent” and that he discharged his  responsibilities “in good faith.”

The commission’s chairperson, retired Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa,will  outline key issues when presenting her statement to the President Peter  Mutharika.

Msosa was chairing the probe team which included secretary of the commission Mike Chinoko, the Solicitor General Janet Banda and public auditor Isaac Kayira.

Chinoko said the much awaited report will be handed over to Mutharika on Saturday.

He said the Office of the President and Cabinet had communicated to cancel the commission appointment which was scheduled for  Friday at 4pm.

“We have received a call from OPC advising us that we will be presenting the report on Saturday at 10am,” Chinoko said.

He said he did not know why OPC rescheduled the meeting.

But Chinoko refused to comment on leak from Solicitor General that Chaponda has been cleared.

He however said the commission gathered “adequate” information in their  40-day assignment.

Chinoko said  they are mandated to report their  findings to the President then the State House will devise modalities of sharing the information with the public,  according to the terms of reference.

Mutharika appointed the commission after an outcry over suspicious procurement of maize from Zambia involving Chaponda and n January 1 to probe the issue following alleged corrupt elements in the maize deal by the State produce trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).