Malawi Government attacks Congoma boss

Malawi Government says the civil society organisations should not use Council for Non-Governmental Organisation in Malawi (Congoma) chairperson Voice Mhone in its attack against it because he has a past tainted with fraud.

Mhone is accused of getting payment without supplying stationery to the ministry and its research department.

“We are appealing to the civil society organisations to desist (from) using Mhone as a lead spokesperson because his name is compromised with one of the first-ever fraud case at the Ministry of Agriculture in 1997,” said the media statement from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education signed by director of information Chikumbutso Mtumodzi.

“The scum was procedurally uncovered through routine audit on procurements at the ministry’s headquarters and the department of Agricultural Research,” added Mtumodzi:

He said the audit was conducted from 1996 to 1998.

In response, Mhone expressed anger at the accusation, saying government is deliberately distorting facts because of the campaign by CSOs.

The civil society met recently where they agreed on a number of issues, among which, were to seek a vote of no confidence in the Joyce Banda’s administration, holding periodic demonstrations and introduction of a Black Monday.

“This issue was raised and was taken to court and I was acquitted. Documents are there and I wonder why government is bringing up it now,” he said.

On his plan of action, Mhone said he has taken the matter to lawyers because he regards the statement as character assassination.

Turning to the cashgate, the statement has expressed regret that the social media is deliberately distorting facts when in essence the President has put mechanism to fight corruption.

It cited the President’s meeting with security officers, the appointment of Nelson Bophani as Deputy Inspector General of Police to head a crime department, the dissolution of Cabinet and 68 arrests of people involved.

“It is worthwhile reminding the nation that a former Cabinet minister suspected of playing a role in the shooting of budget director, Mphwiyo is remanded in prison. Eighteen cases have since been brought to court on various charges [and]international forensic audit experts are on the ground working on fiscal malpractices,” stated Mtumodzi in the media statement.