In a bid to contain fraud and corruption on resources meant for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Malawi, National Aids Commission (Nac) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The MOU comes amid corruption accusations which have been engulfed NAC. CSO’s have accused NAC of money being diverted to unrelated activities recently being the First Lady’s BEAM siphoning MK5 million towards its launch.
Speaking in an interview with the Maravi Post on Thursday, July 2, 2015, in the capital Lilongwe after the signing ceremony, Reyneck Matemba, ACB’s Deputy Director General sent a strong warning to implementing partners of HIV and AIDS projects that his organization would not spare anyone if caught swindling funds meant for the poor suffering from the pandemic.
“ACB is aware of the infamous cash gate which is still taking place despite the revelations. Nac is not spared for such fraud therefore let me send warnings here that once ACB catches you, the same stolen-money will take you to jail.
“Enough of stealing from the poor who are in dare need of our support while someone is thinking of enriching themselves. But this time you will be unleashed without mercy”, warns Matemba.
Speaking on the same, Paramount Chief Kyungu, Nac’s Board Chairperson assures the general public of proper use of the funds towards its course saying business will not be as usual with the MOU aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability of resources meant for the poor.
“The MOU has come at the right time when we are losing trust from donors and the public due to misguided individuals who mismanaged funds meant for the poor. This is the reason commission has partnered with ACB to ensure that funds disbursed and earmarked for HIV and AIDS programs are protected to serve its main purposes”, delighted Paramount Kyungu.
The initial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nac and ACB was sealed in 2008 which is reviewed every three years such that the current signing is the third one which runs from 2015 to 2018.
Currently, NAC is no longer a principal recipient of the Global Fund resources due to gross-plundering of funds meant for HIV and AIDS activities which now in the hands of various institutions such as Action Aid Malawi and others.
