Malawi anti-graft body ‘reviewing’ Paladin corruption complaint
Malawi’s graft-busting body says it is “reviewing” a complaint from Australian uranium miner, Paladin—owner of Kayerekera Uranium Mine (KUM) in the northern Malawi district of Karonga— to investigate corruption allegations.
Paladin general manager for international affairs, Greg Walker, told Nyasa Times this week that he lodgeda complain with Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
He confirmed that there were advances made to Paladin that the company should palm-oil the powers that be.
Walker said Paladin was asked “ to provide financial support to the current government as we allegedly had done for the former government.”
He said the first advances for soliciting bribes were around mid-October 2012 and then there were allegedly a couple of follow-up calls.Paladin boss said at first he reported the matter to the Director of Mining, Charles Kaphwiyo.
“The circumstances of the matter were unusual, insofar as no direct contact was made by the cited political figure to the Company. The message was conveyed via a third party, so the information may or may not have been factual and the named individual may well have had no knowledge of the approach being made in his or her name,” said Walker.
Paladin boss also confirmed that he had a meeting with ACB director Justice Rizine Mzikamanda, on 06 December 2012 where he was assured that the bureau will determine whether an investigation could be launched or not.
Walker said he also requested the ACB to investigate the corruption allegations made against Paladin by Thyolo Thava legislator Lifred Nawena in the National Assembly.
Nawena claimed in parliament on November 21 2012 that a son of the “most senior government official” opened an account where Paladin officials were depositing money.
ACB spokesperson said what Nawena is alleged to have said in Parliament “may have been covered under parliamentary privilege.”
Nawena admitted that he did not lodge formal complain to ACB on his corruption allegationssaying “there were rumours.”
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