Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) has advised people in the country to avoid using shortcuts in order to get a certificate from the authority to avoid being duped by fraudsters.

The sentiment has been made by Spokesperson for PPDA Kate Kujaliwa saying business owners in the country should undertake the processing of the certificate themselves and not lose money to agents or middle men pretending to work for the authority.

Kujaliwa said that the institution does not work with any middle man or agent in order to help business owners get the certificate from their office.

The remarks come as a magistrate court in Lilongwe has sentenced Harold Mwalambula to 42 months imprisonment with hard labour for presenting a fake certificate to Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a business contract.

“If people want to have a PPDA certificate, they should reach out to our office or go on internet and download our form ,complete it and attach all necessary documentation.”

“All things being equal, the PPDA certificate is processed in 5 days, therefore do not send anyone to process your certificate, do it on your own and improve your business.” She said.