By Linda Kwanjana – Malawi Exclusive
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has finalized work on the file of Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa who it will soon arrest and prosecute for abuse of office following his involvement in the infamous K6.2 billion Covid-19 financial scandal, this publication can reveal.
Impeccable sources at ACB say Nankhumwa’s file has been finalized and it is the bureau’s stand that the issue is prosecutable before a court of law.
“They will arrest him anytime. Everyone working on his file is part of the consensus that Nakhumwa abused his office and failed to uphold the required conduct as per his office,” said one of the sources.
Hundreds of people from the civil service and business community were embroiled in the abuse of the first K6.2 billion tranche that government released to contain the spread of the pandemic in 2020.
Nankhumwa pocketed fuel and accommodation allowances amounting to K3.7 million under the pretext of him commuting from his Mulanje Central constituency while all along he has been based in Lilongwe’s plush suburb of Area 10.
Furthermore, as Leader of Opposition, Nankhumwa already receives allowances from Parliament when on official duty.
Details of the Covid-19 report indicate that between October 2020 and January 26 this year Nakhumwa received K1.2 million in daily subsistence allowance and K2.5 million in fuel refunds.
Following public pressure, Nankhumwa refunded the money after the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 was ordered by Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to recover all money that was misappropriated.
When the issue first emerged there was a barrage of sentiments from all quarters of society asking the Leader of Opposition to be held accountable for his involvement in the scandal.
Renowned activist, Gif Trapence, was quoted asking Nankhumwa not only to pay back the money but face the long arm of the law.
“People who have been embroidered in the mismanagement , misappropriation or theft of public funds such as Covid-19 funds must not only be told to pay back but must also be prosecuted and face the long arm of the law,”
Nankhumwa’s arrest is continuation of government’s fight against Covid-19 abuse. 14 people.
In the immediate aftermath of the financial abuse, 14 people were arrested by police and are currently answering charges related to the same.