Imposter attempts to swindle minister

Man posing as Nation Publications Limited (NPL) journalist George Singini, on Friday attempted to swindle Malawi Minister of Transport and Public Works Francis Kasaila.

But he failed after the minister cross-checked with the Lilongwe NPL Bureau if, indeed, the man worked for the 2014 Misa Malawi Print Media House of the year.

The real George Singini is an NPL reporter based in Mzuzu.

According to Kasaila, ‘Singini’ had been pestering him with phone calls, asking for financial assistance to facilitate his travel to South Africa, to collect his sick mother.

“He called me for the first time on Friday [July 18], telling me that his sick mother had been discharged from a South African hospital where she had been admitted and he needed transport money. I told him that I was in Mangochi and I advised that he waits for me until I come back to Lilongwe,” said Kasaila.

He said ‘Singini’ called him again on Wednesday (July 23) and he told him that he was busy and could only meet him later.

The minister said as a precaution, he decided to call NPL Lilongwe Bureau Chief Samuel Chunga if, indeed, George Singini works for NPL. Kasaila said he became suspicious after ‘Singini’ said he was looking for only K10 000 (about $26).

“I was startled because K10 000 is not enough money for transport to South Africa. This made me realise that something was wrong with this person hence my decision to call the NPL Bureau,” said Kasaila.

Upon cross-checking with the Mzuzu Bureau, the real George Singini said he had not been to Lilongwe nor had he contacted the minister on any matter, let alone a private one of financial assistance. Then this reporter was dispatched to identify the impostor at a point when he would be expecting to receive the financial help from the minister.

“As soon ‘Singini’ entered my office, he asked me a question on infrastructure development, which did not make sense. Some three minutes later, when I was about to make a phone call to you, he sensed something and immediately left, saying he wanted to collect car keys at the car park,” said Kasaila.

Kasaila’s bodyguard decided to follow ‘Singini’, but he could not trace him after he disappeared behind the Ministry of Agriculture office.