CCJP demands answers on Buluma claims
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJ) has queried government’s silence on revelations of alleged systemic corruption on fuel import deals involving senior government officials.
CCJP said it is perturbed that following accusations from former Nocma deputy chief executive officer Helen Buluma that some public officers are attempting to cut corners in fuel deals, Capital Hill has chosen to remain silent.
But Minister of Information and Digitisation Gospel Kazako yesterday said Buluma was free to submit those complaints to relevant institutions and that presently, she is yet to submit any of her claims.
However, Buluma made the revelations during her appearance before the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament.
In a statement on socio-economic issues affecting the country signed by CCJP national coordinator Boniface Chibwana, the commission asked President Lazarus Chakwera to urgently take action on the revelations, saying, they are indicative of a serious and systemic scheme which keeps growing.
Reads the statement: “It is clear that rent-seeking, bribery, nepotism and favouritism are rife in the management and procurement of petroleum products in Malawi and high level politicians are beneficiaries of this corruption scheme.
“ The failure of President Chakwera to comment or take action on such revelations, which connected high profile people in his government, including the Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet [Colleen Zamba], demonstrates lack of political will and leadership in dealing with grand corruption in the country.”
CCJP has since said this posture by the President does not augur well with his official or public speeches in which he presents himself as a champion of the anti-corruption fight.
But reacting to CCJP calls, Kazako, who is the official government spokesperson, said last evening that government believes in institutions that work independently. He said Buluma has not submitted such allegations to institutions mandated in such areas.
He said: “Madam Buluma is free to submit those complaints to the relevant independent institutions that have the competence and expertise in that area, who will examine the merits and demerits and decide the way forward.
“As it is, we know nothing of that sort that has been submitted. This government believes in the independence of those constitutional bodies.”
On corruption in general, Kazako said something is being done to ensure that the country eradicates corruption which was not the case before.
Buluma , whose departure from Nocma was controversial as her reign, told the committee that some senior government officials, including Ministry of Energy Principal Secretary Alfonso Chikuni, Department of Services director general Charles Kalumo and Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority CEO Henry Kachaje played roles she was uncomfortable with in the search for solutions to the fuel crisis that hit the country. Immigration and Citizenship
She also claimed that some fuel brokers, allegedly sent by Zamba, wanted to intercept an already negotiated fuel deal between Malawi Government and the United Arab Emirates. Here, she mentioned a Nigeria-based broker only addressed as “Chief” and a South Africa-based motivational speaker Evarista Kamwangala as among those who pestered her to sign fuel deals.
Buluma said the President had earlier advised her in a face-to-face meeting not to bow down to political pressure and disregard anyone who uses the President’s name for personal gain.
She said “Chief”, who was introduced to her by Zamba, contacted her and requested for specifications, which were sent.
Buluma further alleged that some weeks later, after a $50 million
facility from the Arab Bank for Africa Economic Development was ready for disbursement, the SPC queried her on the delays to conclude the deal with ‘Chief’ before the funds were depleted.
Zamba and others mentioned have not been available for comment, but Chikuni earlier dismissed Buluma’s assertions as “half-baked” and “atrocious”.
