President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has ordered Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zanga-Zanga Chikhosi to interdict all public officers involved in the plunder of MK6.2 billion COVID-19 funds.
Chakwera made the order during the State of the Nation Address from Mtunthama State residence in Lilongwe last evening.
“There are no sacred cows. In fact, as other individuals that the evidence points to are identified and tracked down, there will be more arrests. On top of that, we will use the relevant laws to ensure you pay back what you stole,” he said.
He added: “I have also directed Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zanga-zanga Chikhosi to ensure that those officers are referred to the relevant Service Commissions to either clear their names or be sanctioned and disciplined. Whether those public officers are senior or junior civil servants, I have directed him to see to it that disciplinary proceedings begin within 14 days.”
The President further warned heads of law-enforcement agencies like the Malawi Police Service, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and the Financial Intelligence Authority saying “these institutions must stop letting the country down and do your jobs in bringing those implicated by this report to book, or else I will have you replaced”.
Meanwhile, Political Science Association general secretary Makhumbo Munthali described the President’s move as decisive.
He said: “That’s the decisiveness that Malawians were waiting for on the matter. The bold decision to fire minister of Labour Ken Kandodo will send a strong message to any potential corrupt politicians, senior public officials or any politically connected business tycoon that there will be no sacred cows.”
