‘Diplomatic cashgate’: Malawi recalls deputy ambassador in Ethiopia
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation Dr George Chaponda has ordered a recall of two officials at the Malawi Embassy in Ethiopia on allegations of defrauding government money amounting to over $30,000 ( K20 million).
Chaponda confirmed to Nyasa Times that the suspended officials are deputy ambassador Doreen Kapanga (former police deputy chief) and Fletcher Chowe the first secretary responsible for adminstrtion.
The Minister said he has ordered suspension of two senior officials at the Embassy as
one way of showing seriousness on issues to do with looting out corruption.
In an interview with Nyasa Times soon after his arrival from Ethiopia, Chaponda said, the suspended officials were already on their way to Malawi after being recalled.
“What was happening was that the officials were writing cheques in their names for themselves and when I got hold of the news I immediately took action,” said Chaponda.
Chaponda said he will leave no stone un turned and make sure that all people found stealing government money are brought to book.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has since formulated an audit plan for its missions whose audit reports have not seen the light of day.
It is reported that about K3 trillion of government funds spent over the years has not been audited.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Principal Secretary Dalitso Kabambe told a local paper that there were ongoing audits at the Brussels mission in Belgium and the mission in Germany.
“We are processing audits for New York, Harare, South Africa, Nairobi and Maputo. In the end all embassies will be audited as mandated by the Public Audit Act,” he said.
Chaponda traveled to Ethiopia on his first trip as Chairperson of Ministerial Panel of African Union.
He was elected at the position during the 28th Ordinary Session of the executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia.
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Izizi ndidanenapo pena kuti c gate ili posepose kuyambira ma district council onse, gvt departments & offices and there is neede to hire the private firms to conduct a such general national audit chifukwa ena akugwira anzawowa nawoso zawo ndizomwezo.
I have just obtained names of recalled officers and some of the letters. These people from Ethiopia (4 not 2) were recalled a long time ago for what your good boys called “exigences of service”. Is that a new definition of cash gate, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Chaponda? Or is that your way of covering up your own error in judgement? If you are a true patriotic Malawian you would worry about using taxpayers money to pay damages and legal fees to the wrongly accused innocent people. If that happens, I will be calling for you to resign and… Read more »
Vuto losankha anthu andale kuti aziyendetsa ma embassy. Kuba akuba wandale koma kufuna abisale pa anthu wamba.
Fletcher Chowe, matukutuku onse aja kani ndi ndalama zakuba. Timaona ngati musiya kuba mmene mwapita ku Foreign Service. Zaku Accountant General and Treasury zija mukanachitabe? Mbava ziwirinu takulandirani ndinu amene mukuthandizira kubweretsa umphawi kuno ku Malawi chifukwa cha mtima odzikonda. Boma likusowa mankwala koma inu mbala ziwiri kuonjola K20,000,000.00? Chowe, welcome to Area 25 again, Maula Prison to be more specific. Chartered Accountant wakuba.
What will happen if the money was not misappropriated by the officers but was for some other official use?
Let OPC Auditors or the Gove Auditor General deal with this issue in a professional and mature manner, and not Hon Chaponda’s method.
When the truth comes out, one would wish that things were done differently.
Only $30,000 sure that’s what I make in 5 months.
What about the 570 billion!!
Where are they?
What about the big cahoona who plundered 570 billion Kwacha.
This is our money from taxpayers, not donors! Donors left in 2013 after the shooting of Mphwiyo on cashgate, forgotten?
The thieves must face the law!
This is a fabrication by Chimango Chirwa that short homosexual pervert. Never ever appoint short people to such positions they feel insecure. If thete is evidence why investigate the matter? Addis Ababa and RSA have the worst heads of missions. Simply because your backer fucks your wife it doesnt mean you should take it on innocent people. Shupiti zamanu.