Karonga Council told to probe K29m fraud

Karonga District Council chairperson Misheck Mwaijengo has asked the council  to reverse its decision to exonerate 18 employees it interdicted in 2023 for allegedly embezzling about K28.5 million from ground rentals and market revenue collections.

Following an audit report in September 2023 which implicated the employees, the council interdicted them on full pay to pave the way for investigations.

The employees were probed for allegedly not accounting for K8.8 million from Chilumba zone markets, K18.1 million meant for revenue for business and liquor licences as well as K1.6 million fees unaccounted for duplicating general receipts.

The district council’s Human Resources Services Committee suggested that the council forgives and reinstates the interdicted workers.

But the decision faced resistance from some quarters.

During a Full Council Meeting in November 2023, Karonga district business group representative Golden Gowa Nyasulu said if the council was to sweep the issue under the carpet, it would set a bad precedence.

“If the house decides to forgive these employees and reinstate them on the premise that the money swindled be recovered from their salaries, then we are setting a bad precedent in the fight against corruption,” he said.

In an interview, Mwaijengo said the disciplinary committee will go back to the drawing board to seek justice based on the audit report’s recommendations.

He said: “Looking at the amount of money involved, these people should be reported to law enforcement agencies so that justice takes its course. We don’t want public funds to be swindled willy-nilly and let culprits go scot free.

“We also want the committee to furnish us with a report on how the council money was stolen at Karonga District Council guesthouse few months ago.”