LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawians on social media are demanding a proof of payment transaction that show that 516,000.00 Euros (about MK565.6 million) out MK750 million meant for fertilizer under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) was misappropriated.
The demand comes barely days after Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda told local press on Friday, June 2, 2023 that the High Administrative Court of Bavaria based in Munich has issued a final confiscation order in respect of the 516,000.00 Euros.
Nyirenda told Times 360 that money belonging to Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) that was paid into a Fidor Bank AG account through authorized push payment fraud will be transferred back.
“The funds will be transferred from Fidor Bank AG to the Munich’s prosecutor’s account before it is transferred to Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund account. And it is expected to reflect in the account by end July,” he said.
This comes barely also days after Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) in collaboration with the Concerned Citizens have suspended the vigils on security grounds.
The grouping was holding vigils at the main entrance to Capital Hill in the City of Lilongwe, seeking response from the AG Nyirenda regarding the mysterious loss of MK750 million that was meant for the purchase of fertilizer for the vulnerable Malawian farmers under the 2022/2023 AIP.
But Malawians on social media want proof of payment.
“Zabodza izi ma pepala ali kuti, angotenga ku escom ndi water board kenako akazibwezanso (This is a lie, where are papers of this payout? They have just taken Escom and Water board money then later will pay back,” Kassiyah Jekete queries.
James Mahamudu Chinthali chips in, “Pali Chikalata chilichonse chochita (Is there any documents) support what you are saying AG Nyirenda?”.
“Ine ndidzaone kaye trans ID otherwise sindikukhulupirira. Zikhonza kukhala kuti anapochera ndiwomwewa nde akufuna adzitinamiza (I will believe if transaction reference is shown to us. This can be a lie as it might be the same guys who took the money, now they want to lie to us),” doubts Nkosi Chikumbutso Chapamba.
Ministry of Agriculture had engaged SFFRFM to process the procurement for AIP.
SFFRFM identified Barkaat Foods Limited and paid MK750 million to lock the price, but after pocketing the payment, the company terminated the contract.
Since AIP MK750 million theft, President Chakwera Tonse Alliance government has not even arrested anyone.
Even, the embattled Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma has never said a word on this day light robbery of public funds.
