……..Chimwendo, Usi fraudulently pocketed MK4 million each from Gaming Board as Cabinet reshuffle looms
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Exposed! It has been revealed that Malawi Gaming Board (MGB) Chief Executive Officer Rachel Mijiga connived with two Tonse government cabinet Ministers defrauding the board MK8 million without any purpose of the funds.
The Maravi Post has in possession of the full audit report submitted to Parliament for action.
According to the report, Sports Minister Michael Usi and Tourism Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda and Michael Usi secretly and fraudulently pocketed MK4 million each without any purpose.
The audit report dated October 7, 2022 from Gaming Board’s Director of Finance and Administration to board chairperson, National Audit Office (NAO) show that numerous procurement issues have been violated at the institution.
The report cited the miss-procurement where the board gave out a contract for MK9 million and yet the office ended up being given claim of MK32 million to an extension not discussed and opened up to others bidders.
The report also revealed that MK4 million was given to Usi by Gaming board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Mount Soche Hotel that the CEO Rachel Mijiga secretly recorded Minister Usi receiving the money.
“She collected this cash from cashier, Miss Mkandiwa. This is an additional to sum of MK1, 300.000 which CEO demanded earlier from MK8,000.000.00 which was cashed from FDH Bank,” reads part of the audit report.
“MK4 million was paid personally to Hon Chimwendo Banda (through a payment of MK2 million cashed from personal accounts of CS and CEO) and refunds for the same were sought from the Malawi Gaming Board Office”, reads in part.
Meanwhile, Chimwendo has rubbished the report arguing that he will sue persons behind the publication of the document.
“I have noted with great concerns the document circulating is social media which alleges that some officers at Malawi Gaming Board collected money in the sum of MK4 million on the pretext that the same was to be given to me.
“I wish to categorically state that I did not receive any money from the mentioned officers, Malawi Gaming Board or at all”, declines Chimwendo.
He added, “I was not involved in any of the alleged transactions or activities for which the money is said to have been sourced.
“I have given firm instructions to my lawyers to ensure that the persons behind the authorship and publication of this defamatory material are held to account for their actions,” dares Chimwendo.
Usi is also yet comment on the matter.
Chimwendo is Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Youth Director while Usi serves as UTM Vice President.
The report comes amid President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse cabinet reshuffle looming.
