LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Forum for National Development (FND) has questioned Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) silent on five arrested women for money laundering, forex externalization.
The five were arrested after being found in possession of 338 ATM cards just after their arrival on a flight from Dubai, Republic of Arab Emirates.
Malawi Police headquarters spokesperson Peter Kalaya confirmed the arrested of five ladies who happened to enjoying life in Dubai.
“Police Indeed arrested Sellina Mkandawire 39, Fatima Dziko 35, Diness Mphande 66, Hanifa Osman 33 and Angella Mphande 36,” he said.
But in a press statement made available to The Maravi Post on Monday, June 12, 2023 signed by FND National Coordinator Fryson Chodzi wondered as to why RBM is quite on the matter.
“Sadly, according to the media reports, it is further alleged that staff at a Reserve Bank are also involved which seriously puts the integrity of the financial institutions in Malawi.
“The silence on the part of RBM as a regulator is mind baffling and clearly shows of an institution that is compromised in its work,” reads part of the statement.
Chodzi adds, ” These kind of cases have a serious repercussion on the entire economy of Malawi, as the country is signatory to international laws on money laundering and combating the financial terrorism that makes it obligated to curb such kind of actions.
“Failure to deal with this matter will compel us to report to international institutions as money laundering is a serious crime worldwide and slowly Malawi is degenerating into a money laundering hub, as we raised these matters with your office before”.
Meanwhile, Malawi fiscal Police have assured the nation to get bottom on the five arrested women.
Below is FND’s full statement:
REOUEST TO INVESTIGATE BANKS INVOLVED IN THE MONEY LAUNDERING. FOREX EXTERNALIZATION AND FRAUD THROUGH THE 338 ATM CARDS CONFISCATED AT LILONGWE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
We write you as the commercial banks and financial transactions regulator in the country, to probe and investigate the banks that issued the 338 cards that were confiscated upon arresting the 5 women at Lilongwe International
Airport.
We have noted media reports making rounds on this matter and further we have received allegations pertaining to this operation, which raises serious matters of money laundering, fraud and forex externalization.
The allegations we have received shows that among the cards confiscated belonged to leading banks in the country and we call upon you to probe these banks.
Since the banks are supposed to conduct a Know Your Customer (KYC) on opening bank accounts and issuing ATM cards, it is a serious lapse and offence by these banks that only five individuals will have these number of cards.
It is further alleged that each of the 338 cards, was loaded with thousands of United States Dollars in which is likely to run into millions.
This is a very serious offence and needs to be given all necessary attention it deserves. The banks whose cards are involved need to seriously explain how this was allowed and all individuals involved must be brought to book.
Sadly, according to the media reports, it is further alleged that staff at a Reserve Bank are also involved which seriously puts the integrity of the financial institutions in Malawi.
The silence on the part of RBM as a regulator is mind baffling and clearly shows of an institution that is compromised in its work.
These kind of cases have a serious repercussion on the entire economy of Malawi, as the country is signatory to international laws on money laundering and combating the financial terrorism that makes it obligated to curb such
kind of actions.
Failure to deal with this matter will compel us to report to international institutions as money laundering is a serious crime worldwide and slowly Malawi is degenerating into a money laundering hub, as we raised these matters with vour office before.
Yours in Malawi’s Service,
Fryson Chodzi
NATIONAT COORDINATOR
