Malawi Government is failing to refund a Tanzania K4 million after the High Court made the order in 2012.
In July 2012, police arrested Mayunga Suluba after finding him with the money in the local currency without a permit.
The money, which was forfeited to government, was later cleared and the court ordered government to return it to Suluba as there was no case against the Tanzanian.
Lawyer for Suluba George Kadzipatike said government is yet to comply with the court order because there is no money for compensation.
“Government is hoping to settle the money after passing this year’s National Budget,” said Kadzipatike.
Spokesperson for Treasury Nations Msowoya acknowledged receiving the court order to pay the Tanzanian his money.
But Msowoya said the budgetary allocation for compensation was depleted, hence, government cannot pay the money now.
He could not indicate when government would pay Suluba.
The High Court in Mzuzu made the order to refund Suluba after the Mzuzu Magistrate’s Court forfeited the money to government.
The order was made by Justice Dingiswayo Madise.
Suluba was charged with attempting to transfer local currency outside Malawi without permit.
“It is ordered that the order of forfeiture of the Malawi currency in the sum of MK4 030 000 (about $10 075) be and is hereby quashed, with natural result that the said sum of money be returned to the appellant forthwith,” reads Madise’s order.
