Blacklist fraudulent companies—HRDC
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has asked government to blacklist all companies and individuals that have been involved in corruption.
In a statement, the coalition said it is shocked that companies and individuals that have a proven record of corruption and fraud continue to benefit from public contracts—after changing colours to suit the prevailing political climate.
“We take note of different companies and individuals that, for years, have been defrauding Malawians through building and growing their business empires through corrupt activities that continue to throw and trap millions of our people in dungeons of poverty.
“Our shock is that, despite having terrible records of profiteering from corrupt activities, these companies and individuals continue to operate freely in this country, even making more profits through selling their products and services to the same poor Malawians they defraud” reads part of the statement.
HRDC said what is depressing is the fact that such companies and individuals, when apprehended, just shed off their old colours and return on the market either through registering other companies or silently partnering with other companies.
“This is deplorable and unacceptable. As HRDC, we believe this is right time to take a strong and bold stand against tolerating thieving companies and individuals to keep operating in this country either directly or indirectly,” further reads the statement.
In a telephone interview HRDC national chairperson Gift Trapence said they have a list of companies that have been indulging in malpractices.
He said: “If government does not act accordingly, HRDC will start mobilising Malawians to stop supporting such companies and individuals through boycotting their products and services.”
HRDC, through its whistle blowing initiative, has reported a number of suspected corrupt practices to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for investigation. n
