Tag Archives: Collen Zamba

corruption, Malawi

SPC Collen Zamba entangled in illegal Abu Dhabi-based fuel supplier

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The embattled Secretary to The President and Cabinet (SPC) Collen Zamba is again entangled in an illegal fuel contract agreement with an Abu Dhabi-based supplier.

SPC Zamba is reportedly pressing hard on the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) board to approve the award of fuel supply contracts to an Abu Dhabi-based supplier which the board repeatedly refused to do without due diligence.

Sources confided in The Maravi Post over the weekend said in her desperation the SPC Zamba engaged the Minister of Transport Jacob Hara to enter into a contract for the supply of fuel with the same supplier, for which former Finance Minister Sosten Gwenge was instructed to issue and sign Sovereign Guarantees in favor of the Abdu Dhabi supplier.
 
The source at NOCMA disclosed that Gwengwe refused to issue and sign the Sovereign Guarantees.

“So, hurriedly SPC Colleen Zamba, arranged for the replacement of Gwengwe by President Chakwera with Simplex Chityola, this is to have him sign the Sovereign Guarantees in favor of the Abu Dhabi supplier, which the SPC Colleen Zamba desperately needs him to do.
 
“The Minister of Transport Jacob Hara is expected to travel to Abu Dhabi this week taking with him the signed Sovereign Guarantees to complete the corrupt transaction with the fuel supplier,” said the source.

The source adds, “The SPC has also arranged for ADMARC to enter a corrupt fuel procurement contract with a company in Zambia for which the new Minister of Finance is also to issue and sign a Sovereign Guarantee in favor of the Zambian company. Honourable Sosten Gwengwe had also refused to issue and sign a Sovereign Guarantee in favour of the Zambian company.
 
“SPC Colleen Zamba, is engaged in highly corrupt practices with the sanction of the President of the Republic of Malawi Reverend Dr Lazarus Chakwera, her appointing authority”.

SPC Zamba has failed to comment on the matter proved futile on several attempts via her mobile phone.

Zamba has been on social media accused of shaking Capital Hill with friends, and family members’ recruitment without proper government hiring manpower procedures.

Despite all corruption allegations, and kickbacks, Chakwera has not acted on Zamba.

This comes amid an acute shortage of fuel across the country that has paralyzed business operations.

The country is in economic crisis including forex, essential drug shortages due to high inflation, and cost of living.

corruption, Malawi

SPC Zamba, Chikuni caught influencing Nigerian Chief Amucheinwa’s ESCOM PPA contract

Maravi Post Author 1 Comment

………ACB orders ESCOM not to proceed

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-It never rains for corrupt Secretary to The President and Cabinet (SPC) Collen Zamba and Energy Ministry Principal Secretary (PS) Alfonso Chikuni for being caught red-handed in influencing to award the contract to Nigerian businessman “Chief” Obinna Amucheinwa in state-owned Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM)’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Westland Construction and ACSG Consortium.

This has prompted the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to issue a restriction notice, stopping ESCOM from dealing with the “Chief” contract.

Investigator Magazine has extensively revealed the battle between SPC Zambia and her ally PS Chikuni on hand and ESCOM led by its Board Chairperson Morgan Tembo and Chief Executive Officer Kamkwamba Kumwenda.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday stopped any dealing on the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that involved “Chiefs” Westland Construction and ACSG Consortium.

Chikuni, Kumwenda, and Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) boss Henry Kachaje in early July flew to the USA courtesy of “Chief” and the Ministry of Energy signed a provisional agreement (not provided for the laws) without ESCOM.

On return, ESCOM Board threw out the PPA agreement, questioning preferences being granted to the “Chief” and the CEO is said to have met President Lazarus Chakwera who agreed with his decision.

Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda advised ESCOM to postpone the issuance of any new PPAs in a move largely interpreted as a snub on Zambia and Chikuni to block them from proceeding with the PPA for the “Chief.”

Chikuni wrote to Chakaka Nyirenda pleading for a waiver on the deal. ESCOM Board members reported they were being threatened to approve the deal or be fired.

“Whereas the Anti-Corruption Bureau has instituted an investigation in respect of suspected offense under the Corrupt Practices Act. Take Notice that you shall not without my written consent deal with or proceed with any transaction, agreement, or other arrangement about the 300MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Westland Construction and ACSG Consortium,” Martha Chizuma, Director General of the ACB wrote on 21st of August, 2023.

Chief of ACB Martha Chizuma has instituted an investigation in respect of suspected offenses under the Corrupt Practices Act.

This means officially Zamba, Chikuni, Kachaje, Kumwenda and others involved in dealing with “Chief” matters are under official investigation, placing the country’s energy sector in another leadership crisis after former Energy Minister Newton Kambala and others were arrested about fuel procurement at National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).

The PPA

On Monday, 12th June, Alfonso Chikuni, sent an email to Kumwenda, Maxwell Muli Makwenda (ESCOM), and Henry Kachaje giving the three a draft copy of the PPA which indicated that had already been signed at the behest of the Chief’s delegation.

“You will recall that we had meetings with US-based investors on 300MW solar thermal at the MERA officer (office). – The attachments will remind you. The Ministry signed an MoU during their mission,” wrote Chikuni with the subject “Review of the Conditional PPA.”

This confirms that the Chief’, who is the main signatory of the company was in Malawi either in April or May and made (if not demanded) with the influence of high-level government officials to have a PPA agreement signed before due diligence and other protocols were followed.

Chikuni, having already signed the PPA, flew into the USA apparently to do due diligence, which is a cover-up of another botched public finance commitment in which President Chakwera’s administration seems to specialize.

“However, you will also recall that they requested a conditional PPA to be signed which should enable them to start a dialogue with their financiers to which we granted consent. We shared our duly approved template. They have now made input,” said Chikuni in the email copied to Solicitor General Allison Mbang’ombe, whom he asks to assist “with framing the Conditions Precedent.”

The PPA signed with reference WAPC/ESC/MW/MOE/2023O6.01 dated June 1st, has a different company name than what Chikuni and the company visited in Utah, USA whose address was traced to a charity farm.

The company that signed the agreement was listed as Westland-ACSG Power Company Limited but the letterheads for the invitation now reads ACSG-POWER PROJECT CONSORTIUM raising questions as to which legal entity Chikuni and the company married ESCOM with.

Chief to install 1000mw plant

Chief, a man whose company only updated its energy sector role in late 2022 is expected to raise at least K500 billion for 300MW during its first phase and later accumulate to 1000MW which will see Malawi join the league of major electricity producers in Africa.

The PPA agreement stipulates that it is valid for “20 years from start” meaning it could well run into 2043 or 2070 when Chakwera and the majority of his “deal makers” are likely going to be very far from the seat of power.

“You need 1200 hectares for a 300MW solar power plant. You will need over 4,000 hectares for such a project to reach 1000MW. Chief’s home Nigeria has the lowest intake of solar energy and has power shortages, he opts to invest in Malawi when he can make a killing in Nigeria. It does not need a primary school chap to see that this is another scam,” analyzed a solar expert, who said only Egypt has developed a 2500MW solar farm in Africa.

The 1000MW plant would cost over US$1 billion for a country with local export products that cannot access finance for such a mega project, which shows the paperwork is proposed just to raise finances and dump the project.

The government has failed to bring the investor “Chief” into the public as they fear he could be revealed his true nature of character and business across the world.

Chief whose main address is Abuja, Nigeria seems to have shifted the energy consortium to the USA where individuals related to his “Consortium” cannot be readily traced again.

There is no land designated for the project.

PML winding up had no “Chiefs” company.

The Investigator Magazine sought to establish how long the “Chiefs” company has been in the energy sector in Malawi and could not find any application at the folded state-owned Power Markets Limited, which means the Ministry of Energy had the PPA ready as they wind up of the PML.

The final list of PPAs for PML shows 37 PPAs were signed with some projects being rolled while others feasibility studies were being done. None of the PPAs belong to the ACSG group of the Chief.

All PPAs indicate the location of the projects.

Among the PPAs is Quantel which intends to produce 50MW Solar Power at Bwengu in Mzimba, Atlas (40MW-solar) at Balaka and already 20MW approved, Serengeti Nkhotakota (21MW-solar), Votalia (40MW-solar) at Dwangwa in Nkhotakota and JCM with a total of 60MW solar at Golomoti and Salima which is already operational. EGENCO also has a PPA for a solar farm with 20MW in Salima.

Green Cells in Zomba is expected to produce 34MW from solar but did not sign the PPA, Elsewedy Electric with 50MW solar at Phombeya but has not concluded negotiations, and Larsen and Turbo with 100mw solar at Phombeya now undertaking a full feasibility study.

AMEA in Lilongwe is targeting 50mw, while a partnership of Press Corporation and Ashtron wants to produce 50MW at Nkhoma in Lilongwe.

YM Power has suggested 151.5MW Kindwe Wind Farm in Dedza districts. A firm identified as Droege proposed a floating 20M solar farm at Monkeybay and 50mw at Mzimba from Windmills.

Other companies with major projects include Jindal with a 350MW coal plant at Liwonde, Rukuru with a 100MW coal plant, and Rudevit/Greenstone Energy with a 100MW hydropower plant on North Rukuru. JF Investments is exploring a 300 LNG Gas power project in Mchinji.

Illovo Sugar Company is exploring the Bagesse Power project for its Dwangwa and Nchalo factories while the Mpatamanga hydro plant is expected to generate up to 350MW.

According to Chikuni and Kumwenda, people who got most of the PPAs have sold them or disappeared. He could not however say which capacity “Chief” has to deliver 1000MW and ESCOM Board later said it could not proceed due to the public questions surrounding “Chief.”

Chikuni: people who got most of the PPAs have sold them or disappeared

Other companies with major projects include Jindal with a 350MW coal plant at Liwonde, Rukuru with a 100MW coal plant, and Rudevit/Greenstone Energy with a 100MW hydropower plant on North Rukuru.

JF Investments is exploring a 300 LNG Gas power project in Mchinji.

Malawi, Politics

Chakwera’s son Nick’s book launch turns into a State function

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera’s son Nick’s book launch has become a government function slated for Wednesday afternoon, August 3, 2023, at Kigali Event Centre (Next to Lingadzi Inn) in the capital Lilongwe.

To make matters known that the leadership is guilty, Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba in a press statement issued on Tuesday, August 1 decided to hide the name of the author of the launched book.

“His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCathy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, will launch “Religion and Politics Book” on Wednesday, 2 August 2023 at Kigali Event (Near Lingadzi Inn), Lilongwe,” reads SPC Zamba statement.

This defeats the purpose of separation of state matters and private events.

Chakwera has been on the move daily attending functions not necessarily of the head of state’s presence amid the ailing economy Malawi is encountering.

Since he became Malawi’s leader in 2020, his Tonse Alliance government has been marred with nepotism and favoritism in public office appointments including the United Kingdom’s diplomatic mission of his daughter Violet despite Chakwera’s earlier refusal of the appointment on BBC Hard Talk.


Development

SPC Zamba for competent Principal Secretaries’ quality public service delivery

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba expects public services delivery from Principal Secretaries (PSs) in various government ministries following two days of leadership training, which opened at Malawi School of Government (MSG) Kanengo campus in the capital Lilongwe on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

The training aims at equipping PSs with leadership skills, including public funds and civil servants management.

The Leadership Development Programme is being coordinated by the Department of Public Sector Reforms Management, the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD), and Malawi School of Government with financial assistance from the UNDP Malawi.

According to the SPC, the training is crucial since a competent Principal Secretary translates to a strong and efficient Government System.

“You are assets and the Nerve Centre of the Public Service who influence what should be done as a country hence it is important that you are competent leaders,” said Zamba.

The SPC has since challenged the principal secretaries to take a leading role in embracing visionary leadership skills for the attainment of key national aspirations.

“Competent officers with reliable skills and knowledge are critical for a strong government system,” added Zamba.

MSG Council chairperson Professor Lewis Dzimbiri observes that the training is timely towards Malawi’s 2063 agenda.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Challa Getachew, commended the Government of Malawi for coming up with such capacity development programs saying UNDP will continue rendering support whenever necessary.

Among others, the capacity development programme covers modules on duties and responsibilities of Principal Secretaries, Core Competencies of Principal Secretaries, Strategic Management: Strategic Planning, Change Management; National Development Planning (MW2063); Professional Ethics Conduct and Integrity in the Malawi Public Service, Malawi Public Finance Management; Administrative Law in Malawi and Stress Management and Emotional Intelligence.

Malawi, Politics

Why is Chakwera, Zamba treating embattled Immigration Chief Charles Kalumo with gloves despite office’s militant approach?

Ufulu

…….Commissioner of Immigration Stanlake Kalimanjira reported to OPC amid 15 allegations…

…….SPC Zamba summons Commissioner of Immigration Stanlake Kalimanjira instead…

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Commissioner of Immigration Stanlake Kalimanjira has penned the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) leveling 15 administrative misconduct allegations against Immigration Department’s director general Charles Kalumo.

The letter, under reference number IM/02/01 dated July 7 202/3/, says he authored it “on behalf of the concerned officers”.

His officers have questioned his rule: Kalumo

They are seeking the suspension of the redeployment of 16 of f icers which he announced on 30 June this year, pending an inquiry into Kalumo’s conduct.

It alleges that among others, Kalumo has unprocedurally been granting foreigners citizenship, suspending workers without following due process, using obscene language against officers, and failing to find a sustainable solution to passport issuance services.

Addressed to the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC), the letter names seven officers that were allegedly suspended or dismissed irregularly.

“Officers are sent home without being given a chance to explain and defend themselves; they are sent home by word of mouth of the Director General. The word of the Director General is law.

“The Director General facilitated the interdiction of Assistant Commissioner Saddock Malinda without following the procedure, Sergeant Geoffrey Malikula was dismissed and ordered to surrender the uniform without being given a chance to defend himself.

“Senior Superintendent Oswald Mhango is home for doing his work professionally which irritated the Director General. Senior Superintendent Blackwell Lungu was suspended (but later recalled) by word of mouth.”

Kalumo is also accused of being insensitive to funeral traditions as he allegedly refuses to permit workers to attend the burial of their workmates.

“Here is a director general who demands his officers to apply for leave when traveling to attend a funeral of a departed uniformed officer. Our memories are very fresh. A couple of weeks ago, the department lost Sergeant Lawrence Austin Kwapata.

“When officers from the Central Region sought approval from the Director General to travel to Mulanje to attend the funeral of the departed officer, he responded as follows: “Apply for leave and I have to approve…. Otherwise, ameneyo wafa basi alibe ntchito”] the letter further reads.

The commissioner has since asked the OPC to suspend or redeploy redeployments of the officers until an inquiry is held, warning them to take legal action if their request is ignored.

Meanwhile, OPC spokesperson Robert Kalindiza on Saturday said he would respond on Monday when he is expected to establish if the letter was submitted.

Instead of addressing issues raised, SPC Collen Zamba summoned Commissioner Kalimanjira on Monday, July 10, 2023, for no clear agenda.

 Kalimanjira confirmed being summoned by the SPC that he would attend but does not know the agenda.

He said: “Indeed I was summoned yesterday to meet the SPC this morning but the agenda was not spelled to me. I will attend the meeting.”

Since Kalumo was hired after his retirement, the Immigration Department has been in the media for bad reasons that the old-guard Kalumo uses militant and dictatorial approach towards staff members.

Chakwera as an appointing authority has never summoned Kalumo over his office abuse but instead overpraising while suppressing workers at Immigration Department.

But Why is Chakwera treating Kalumo with gloves despite office abuses?

Why has Chakwera always remained silent on serious matters affecting the nation but busy attending functions, and events locally and abroad?

corruption, Malawi

Overrated Kawale, corrupt SPC Zamba fooled Cabinet on MK250bn’s Romanian Pharmacy AIP deal

Maravi Post Author

LILONGWE-(Investigator Magazine)-For a nation that cannot feed itself with 3.8 million people facing starvation, the overrated Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale went on national television to churn lies about the Romanian fertilizer deal, which we can reveal is worth MK250 billion (US$ 248 million).

The Investigator Magazine can reveal Government issued two sovereign guarantees and that experts say it is impossible to pay back with crops looking at Malawi’s present production and food capacity.

The guarantee which has been leaked to the public is the second one, and the third one is expected to be issued to bring the total cost of the 600,000 tons of fertiliser to K500 billion kwacha. The Minister in his fire fighting interviews staged with reporters who have allegedly been paid, only acknowledged K125 billion guarantee and hid the other one.

The guarantee which has been leaked to the public
“The guarantee between the parties requires the Guarantor to issue two (2) Irrevocable, Assignable, and Divisible Sovereign Guarantee as payment security instruments of equal value,” reads the sovereign guarantee. Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe and Kawale only acknowledged one hiding the other.

The Investigator Magazine can name Kawale, Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba and Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Madrina Mlodza Banda as the trio that has worked hard to fool the Cabinet and push for the most expensive fertiliser deal in the history of subsidy programe.

Kawale contradicted himself during the interviews claiming that East Bridge has a production line and later stating that no manufacturer of the fertiliser can pay accept barter trade and require security deposit.

“Sovereign guarantees are security deposit. The Minister is committing Malawians to pay K250 billion. This is very expensive considering that fertiliser prices are falling,” said our financial analysts engaged in the deal. He described Kawale’s interviews as “sham and disoriented after being caught.”

East Bridge SRL does not produce fertiliser

The Investigator Magazine has solicited services of an account investigations expert and can reveal that the company which Kawale has vouched, and claims has references, has never produced a single bag of fertiliser in the world. The agriculture component was added only after the Malawi fertiliser deal was made.

“The Minister cannot say which country is the production line of the company. The company says its fertilisers are Russian made. The accounts of the group of companies have declared losses through and through which is a characteristic of a company running away from paying taxes. Let the Minister tell the nation how these people were identified,” said our analyst.

Kawale told MBC that East Bridge approached the Ministry in September 2022, but he could not name the people that approached Government. He later claimed that the Romanians have been in Malawi for three years.

Our investigations reveal that some Romanian nationals have been engaging in illegal mining and trading of minerals and have been based at the Presidents Hotel in Lilongwe.

Deal signed before approval

The Investigator Magazine has confirmed that Mlodza Banda signed the agreement with two Malawians, not Romanians, lawyer Likhwa Mussa and one Ted Moya who have registered a company locally as a subcontracted group of East Bridge Srl.

Kawale cannot produce credible Romanians as due diligence reports were largely faked and the deal is between Malawians, using the Romanian address.

“The deal means the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) doba dobas and the suppliers that Zamba has been negotiating in South Africa and Dubai will use the cover of East Bridge to supply fertiliser at a very high cost. Government will not have any crops to exchange with as Kawale claims, the sovereign guarantees will be invoked and Malawians will pay cash,” stated an insider.

The deal was signed on 14 December 2022. The Cabinet Committee on Agriculture rejected it due to lack of due diligence. It was rejected at least four times, according to members of the committee.

There are conflicting versions from the members of Chakwera cabinet on how the matter was introduced. Others claim it was rejected, while others claim it was approved.

The Investigator Magazine has evidence that the approval from Cabinet only came in March and April 2023, almost four months after the Ministry of Agriculture had already sealed the deal.

The deal was signed on 14 December 2022 and Kawale, Zamba took it to cabinet

Minister Kawale told the media that the Romanians approached the Ministry in September 2022.

This means the MK750 million butchery deal had already been passed and this was a fresh offer which he inherited in office on 26 October 2022 when he was appointed as Minister of Agriculture.

Kawale then proceeded to have the deal signed on December 14, 2022, which had options of cash payment or commodity exchange. The Minister authorised a deal only 36 working days in office.

After cabinet committee rejected the deal, apparently the Minister of Agriculture took it to the whole cabinet using the influence of the Secretary to the President and Cabinet.

The fact that the deal had already been signed was hidden. The Cabinet was used to rubber stamp.

A cabinet source claims Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe looked surprised when the items were introduced, especially the number of sovereigns guarantees the company was seeking at once.

Zamba made it look like it’s the Presidents deal

The lobbying for the deal has always been presented as something that President Lazarus Chakwera is aware of and endorsed. The Investigator Magazine could not find a direct link between the President and the company.

However, State House insiders claim President Chakwera had a meeting with Zamba over her “behaviour” as she reportedly has been flying in and out of the country on the pretext that she is not feeling well.

“The SPC has been a frequent flyer into Dubai and South Africa. She met fertiliser, oil and other suppliers. She allegedly has been signing contracts for things that do not concern her. This deal was presented as if President Chakwera was aware. He was not,” said our source at State House

He said the President was aware of Zamba’s stretching her influence across government department that is why he removed her as Head of Presidential Delivery Labs which has been given to her deputy.

The fallout, Cabinet abstains

The Investigator Magazine story published on Friday caused panic and Minister Kawale is said to have called for a meeting that lasted from 7.30pm to 10pm on Friday night. Zamba did not turn up for the meeting, according to our sources.

Our sources said other Ministers were angry with the turn of events and outright rejected holding of a press conference, leaving the Minister of Agriculture to face the music alone.

There are allegations that the meeting discussing possible bribery of the media to change the narrative. One established daily newspaper on Monday pumped up the deal without publishing the critical details of the ownership, procedures justifying the single source allocation of K500 billon worth of contract and how government will pay off the huge produce committed in the contract.

Kawale neglected to tell the nation that the Ministry of Finance had issued K250 billion worth of Sovereign Guarantee and who identified the company.

The Minister also lied that the deal was for Small Holder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund (SFFFRM) when all the documents indicate the discussions were between the Ministry of Agriculture and the East Bridge Srl.

MK100 billion more expensive

The Minister of Agriculture in his choreographed interviews focused only on saving foreign exchange but lacked honesty on the pricing of the fertilisers which will be K400,000 more expensive per ton than those on the market, meaning with two sovereign guarantees, government will pay about K100 billion more than prevailing rates.

Our sources at SFFFRM have disputed the version that they will be responsible for the fertiliser already accusing the Ministry of Agriculture of shortlisting expensive fertiliser suppliers for the secretive 2023/2024 contracts.

The Investigator Magazine has been furnished with the list of those expected to supply 2023 AIP programme who were identified secretly by the Ministry for the first time in the history of subsidy programme.

No crops to pay back.

The Minister of Agriculture told Malawians that the deal will open markets for Malawi produce but he could not say how the crops will be sourced at the time national maize production has fallen and up to 3.8 million people will require food aid this year, according to the United Nations.

“Malawi only produced less than 3 million tons last year of maize. 3.8 million require food aid which is normally maize. The Minister of Agriculture commits itself that within a year or two it will have 400,000 tons of maize and 500,000 tons of soy and groundnuts to pay for this barter trade. They might think Malawians have low thinking capacity,” said another agricultural expert in the Ministry.

UNICEF sent an appeal to help close to 600,000 young children that are facing malnutrition in Malawi while Kawale expects the country to be able to produce to repay his deal.

Admarc according to 2023/2024 budget has only been allocated K12 billion to buy maize but the money is yet to be released according to a May 9 report in the Nation newspaper. 200,000 tons would require government to spend K100 billion to procure maize for the programme which is the equivalent of 80 percent of the subsidy budget.

In terms of soybeans, the country production is estimated to be only around 300,000 tons, meaning under the East Bridge deal, all soy beans will have to be surrendered to the company to offset the fertiliser costs. There is no mechanism in place to produce on contract.

Malawi’s groundnuts production has only peaked at 400,000 tons making it a tall order for the government to source the required tonnage to meet the contractual agreement.

“The Minister has exposed his ignorance in terms of agriculture in Malawi. Malawi failed to fulfil 187,000 tons of maize flour to South Sudan. It is laughable that the whole Minister of Agriculture would go in public to state that we will supply 200,000 tons of pigeon peas when we only grow 78,000 tons. The problem is that Mlodza Banda and the Minister are overriding experts. This deal, the barter trade is a disaster in making. It is simply cashgate, it should be cancelled. If they want and they are sincere, let them advertise for anyone who wants commodities,” charged a senior Ministry of Agriculture official.

The official who gave The Investigator Magazine a critical view of the crop production in Malawi said with the projected La Nina phenomena for the 2023/2024 farming season it was “a very sick joke” to commit Malawi to a contract based on crops who depend on weather conditions.

“It shows the Government can’t plan or think ahead. They talk of deliveries by July 2024. The meteorological services have warned we will have La Nina this farming season. If you combine Cyclone Freddy this year and La Nina next farming season, any right-thinking person cannot agree to a contract to pay back with produce. We have simply no crops to pay back with, we can’t feed ourselves now,” said another agriculture expert.

Kawale has insisted the deal will go ahead despite the glaring impossibility experts have told him.

Source: Investigator Magazine

Malawi, Politics

Chakwera accused of shielding corrupt SPC Zamba

Maravi Post Reporter
Buluma exposed Zamba in corruption tendencies

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The embattled Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has accused President Lazarus Chakwera for shielding corrupt Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Collen Zamba on office abuse and corruption attempts.

HRDC rebuke comes barely two weeks after former Acting National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hellen Buluma exposed Zamba of office abuse and coruption.

of NOCMA allegations on Secretary to the President (SPC) influence on fuel procurement, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) condemned Chakwera for not firing Collen Zamba to allow the smooth investigations on the matter.

HRDC, interim Vice Chairperson, Micheal Kaiyatsa told news conference on Saturday, December 3, 2022 that Chakwera silence on Zamba is worrying.

Kaiyatsa said Buluma allegations on Zamba are serious that there is need for SPC’ suspension to pave way for smooth investigation.

He said the President cannot ignore the matter as it is inline with previous suspension of officers and aides close to him on suspicion of corruption and abuse of power.

“Fact that the President has not taken any action against allegations made against the SPC or commented on the issue is highly suspicious and gives the impression
that Chakwera is shielding her,” said Kaiyatsa.

He therefore dared Zamba to respond to the allegations levelled against her or step aside to allow the law to take its course.

Recently HRDC gave 21 days Ultimum to government to address issues to do with fuel crisis which has now stabilize, commencement of AIP which is now in progress and firing of NOCMA CEO and the coalition feel impressed with the steps that the government made.

Meanwhile HRDC has given government another 21 days ultimatum to address issues including Cabinet reshuffle, firing of Zamba and restrictions of foreign trips for the government offices inline with the austerity measures.

corruption, Malawi

Chakwera cornered to sack embattled Finance Minister Gwengwe over Auzano’s bogus US$170m fertilizer deal

Maravi Post Reporter
Chakwera and his errand boy Sosten Gwengwe in trouble over bogus Auzano fertilizer deal


BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera is facing stern calls to fire his trusted boy Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe and Secretary to President and Cabinet Collen Zamba for forging a government document.

Chakwera’s errand boys; Gwengwe and Zamba are being accused by the public court of forging a document; in which government sealed a U$170 Million shabby deal with a UK-based company Auzano Capital Management Ltd.

According to a forged document in our custody, acting on behalf of Malawi Government the Finance Minister Gwengwe signed a deal with Auzano Capital Management Ltd to act as a guarantor for Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM).

In the suspicious multi-dollar deal, Auzano Capital Management Ltd was asked by government to find a financier who will help SFFRFM to buy fertilizer from UK under this year’s Affordable Input Programme (AIP).

The more shocking revelations is that Gwengwe went ahead to issue the Guarantee without the knowledge of Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA).

Meanwhile, legal scholars in the country have faulted Gwengwe over the document, which according to them lacks Reserve Banking of Malawi (RBM) and legal backing, hence the need for authorities to arrest the two.

“Where did Gwengwe get the powers and authority to sign the deal on behalf of government? Did Chakwera give a nod? Was Parliament aware,” asks one of legal scholars from University of Malawi.

Another Scholar and social commentator said: “Finance Minister Gwengwe should not be just fired, but arrested for issuing a forged document since it doesn’t comply with the laws of the country.”

However, the forged document states that: “The Guarantor confirms that it has obtained all necessary authority and powers for the issuing and execution of this Guarantee is enforced in its terms.”

The Minister further indicated that all warrants and necessary processes and procedures required in assurance of the Guarantee were duly complied in accordance with the public finance management act (Cap.37:02) of the laws of Malawi.

The embattled Minister of Finance Gwengwe is also on record to have told Parliament recently that Cabinet-which is chaired by the President-approved the Guarantee.

He says the Public Finance Management Act provides that Cabinet should be satisfied that it is merited to issue a SG. The minister alleged that cabinet sat on 9th September and approved it.

However, considering that PPDA, CGU and ACB have all been denied processing the Auzano Contract, what satisfied cabinet to approve this SG?

“As a Minister of Finance you take a request for issuance of SG to Cabinet, and you don’t know whether the beneficiary was dully approved through a legitimate process? And the whole cabinet doesn’t question such approvals and vetting?,” wondered a governance expert from Mzuzu University.

He added: “We are facing a cabal here. A group of incompetent and dishonest people pretending they are dealing with matters of public interest, it’s so sad.”

This publication understands that Auzano Capital Management Ltd has only been in operational for a period of one year, has no permanent address and a website.

Auzano was only 10 months old when Gwengwe and his cabinet colleagues found it satisfying to approve an SG of USD170 million. They have no financial statements, no accounts that should have informed Gwengwe and his colleagues in Cabinet of Auzano’s suitability to perform.

If President Dr. Chakwera is satisfied with this process, then much doubt about his competence.

Tonse leadership is yet to speak on the matter as the public are loosing trust on Chakwera’s failed regime for two years now.

Malawi, Politics

Malawi Law Society chides AG Nyirenda for shielding Zamba to face Parley

Maravi Post Reporter
Chakaka Nyirenda in trouble

BLANTYERE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Law Society (MLS) has slammed Attorney General (AG) Chakaka Nyirenda for “willfully and knowingly” giving a wrong opinion to the Secretary to Cabinet, Collen Zamba and former Acting CEO of National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Helen Buluma for them not comply with a Congressional Subpoenas to appear before Public Appointment Committee (PAC) of Parliament.

According to AG Nyirenda says the two could not appear before a Parliamentary committee that has no powers to confirm their employments.

But MLS through its honorary secretary Chrispin Ngunde observes that Nyirenda deliberately misled the nation on this matter as Parliament or its Committee has powers to subpoena anyone including the AG himself according to the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament which its powers are drawn from the same Constitution.

Ngunde cited constitutional provisions 60(3) of the Constitution bestow such powers to Parliament as given below:

  1. The National Assembly and any committee of the National Assembly shall have the power to conduct investigations and exercise the power to subpoena the attendance of any person or office holder whosoever as required in connexion with the prudent exercise of the functions of the National Assembly and failure to attend without leave or without valid reason or excuse shall be held to be a contempt of the National Assembly or committee in question.

But on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 former CEO of NOCMA Buluma obliged to the subpoena as issued by PAC and she testified while Collen Zamba defied the summons without giving a reason.

However, it is not yet known if PAC will proceed with contempt of National Assembly charges against Zamba.