Ombudsman to conduct public inquiry on Buluma security costs

The Office of the Ombudsman h a s disclosed that it plans to hold a public inquiry into allegations that National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) is draining K3.9 million monthly for its deputy chief executive officer Helen Buluma ‘ s security detail.

The act ion by the Ombudsman follows a complaint from Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) last year that Buluma and her residence are guarded by armed police officers and private bodyguards outside her entitlement.

In an interview this week, Ombudsman Grace Malera said her office was furnished with responses by Nocma board chairperson and Buluma herself; hence, that after analysing the information, the office resolved to conduct a public inquiry.

Said Malera: “We are considering options to conclude the matter, including holding a public inquiry.”

Malera also pointed out that there are some aspects of the matter that are overlapping with the mandate of the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB), adding that the two offices are still engaging each other.

In a letter Reference OMB- LL- 2 0 2 1 – 3 5 7 , dated November 22 2021 titled ‘Investigations Into Allegations of Abuse of Office and Acts of Maladministration by Nocma deputy CEO, Malera instructed Buluma

to respond to the allegations by December 2 2021.

According to a copy of Nocma employees’ Conditions of Service, the State oil firm’s CEO and the deputy are entitled to a day security guard and two night security guards plus an alarm or rapid response system.

Reads the Ombudsman’s letter, in part: “In particular, you are to respond to the issues relating to allegations in relation to abuse of office by yourself as deputy chief executive officer in getting security detail not in line with your entitlements, provide information and supporting documents relating to your entitlement where the issue of security for your person and your residence is concerned.

“lf, indeed, you are getting security details as per the allegations in the complaint, explain the authority under which the same benefit is being accorded to you and, if, indeed, you are getting security details as per the allegations, provide information as to how such services are being paid for—whether the services are being charged to Nocma and why?”

Our sister paper Weekend Nation broke the story on how the State-owned company hired services from the Malawi Police Service (MPS) that include four police officers with two guns to guard Buluma’s residence and a gun-toting close protection officer (CPO) to guard her daily.

A CPO or personal bodyguard is reserved for senior officials such as judges, Cabinet ministers and their deputies, electoral commissioners, Speaker of the National Assembly and Leader of Opposition, according to police sources.

In an earlier interview, HRDC national chairperson Gift Trapence said they expected a speedy probe into the matter, saying the human rights body furnished the Ombudsman with the evidence, including payment vouchers.

According to payment vouchers we have seen, Nocma’s monthly police security expenses for March totalled K7.8 million out of which K3.9 million was for Buluma’s security alone