ACB probes Centre’s FA

The Anti-Corrption Bureau (ACB) is investigating some officials on allegations of corrupt practices  ahead of the  Central Region Football Association (CRFA) elections slated for November 14.

The graft-busting body’s director Reyneck Matemba yesterday said the investigation follows a complaint they received last Friday.

ACB has also issued a restraint order to CRFA stopping all the processes pertaining to its elective general assembly.

“We have commenced our investigations. Without going into details, the complaints relate to allegations of corrupt practices by some individuals ahead of the CRFA elective general assembly.

“We saw merit in the complaint that we received, but it is through the investigations that we are conducting that we will be able to establish the truth behind the allegations,” he stated in a response to a questionnaire.

Matemba also said he could not say how long the investigations will take.

Reacting to the probe, CRFA general secretary Benard Harawa welcomed the investigation.

“The ACB is only exercising its duties as per the complaints they have received. They are entitled to act on the complaints and we have no problems.

“In our case, we are just recipients of the documents and I cannot talk on behalf of the affiliates,” he said.

Harawa also confirmed receipt of the restraint order.

The probe comes days after some aspirants such as CRFA incumbent vice-chairperson Simeon Lijenje and vice-general secretary Owen Munthali lodged a complaint to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) on how the nomination process was being handled.

Lijenje wrote the local football governing body to conduct a fresh nomination process.

Reads part of his letter dated November 2 2020: “The CRFA nomination process entails the affiliates [district committees)]should meet to discuss and agree on candidates of their choice to join the race. However, this process did not happen in most districts as per constitutional requirement.”He claims that some of the district committees that did not nominate candidates include Dowa, Lilongwe, Dedza and Ntcheu.

In a separate interview, Lijenje said it will be wrong if FAM will go ahead with the elections before sorting out the concerns raised.

FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda acknowledged receipt of the letter and said they will respond accordingly.

“I am aware about the letter and as FAM we will provide a detailed response in due course,” he said.