Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika ordered an investigation on Tuesday into a $34.5 million government maize purchase from Zambia after allegations that the price had been inflated.
Opposition UPP leader Saviour Chishimba said last month he had seen documents showing Malawi had been charged $345 per tonne for 100,000 tonnes of Zambian maize worth $215 a tonne.
Malawi is importing the maize to ease food shortages affecting an estimated 6.7 million people, triggered by the severe drought that swept the region in 2016.
Some senior Malawi government officials have said the price was higher because a transport and logistics company had to be hired to move the maize between the neighboring countries.
In a statement from the office of the president and cabinet, President Mutharika ordered an urgent probe into the deal.
“We need to get to the bottom of this and bring to the people nothing but the truth,” Mutharika said.
“This investigation starts immediately and will report its findings by January 31, 2017,” he said.
Only 4,000 tonnes of maize have so far been moved from Zambia, according to state officials.
President Mutharika has suspended the chief executive of ADMARC, the government-owned grain trader involved in the deal, pending the investigation.
And President Lungu has done what?
He is drinking Jameson from the same corrupt proceeds.pamafi party…
While ours is busy sleeping and even supporting the same thieves who got involved in the deal..
Too bad for you because the president knows what to do without your insinuations. The ACC is already on the ground.
SO the Malawian President , thinks it is very urgent and is pressing action, yet Lungu thinks this will go away and is saying nothing and letting the highly disgraced Dora to spew incoherent statements?
Thanks
BB2014,16
While I support some arguments here I will also like to acknowledge that incoherent statements are the order of the day by a fair few bloggership right here, pot calling kettle black. Ka Lungu na Chi Dora naimwe munasheko ubupupa. The rate of spinning of the late Sata’s body in the coffin is not being helped by you two.
well done mutharika… our president in zed can’t see beyond his nose.. nikulimba chabe
Find out how much we charge per ton when we export to DRC!You will be shocked and you won’t accuse any one of corruption Mr. Chishimba. Its simply supply and demand at play……..if Malawians do not want to buy at that price we sale to DRC…….at $450/ton!They want Maize to be delivered to there country at FOB price…No way man.Who pays for transport to Malawi in this case….it should be the buyer!
Haters won’t analyse issues. Any rumor about government corruption sends them on heat and when the scent leads them nowhere, they change the tune. Ala 2021 uli apatali.
What do you want him to do? Be sensible. If boy buys a chicken from at K50 and tells his mom that he paid K60 can that be my problem? It’s only when the mother comes to ask me that’s when I can get involved. Besides the ACC has started its own investigation. If Edgar instructs the ACC, you complain but when Mutharika instructs his ACC equivalent he’s a hero.
What do you Zambians expect a Drunken dancing crooked Lawyer who has a lu2t for clients cash to do???
Drunken Edward is nursing a hangover as we speak, wondering “What all the Maizegate fuss is about”
ZAMBIANS GAVE THIS EMBEZZLING COWBOY A MANDATE, SO YOU ENJOY” whilst your neighbours in Tanzania & Malawi have real leadership, out to develop their countries.
In zambia you are only corrupt if you are not supporting the govt
You people who insult Lungu and calling him names whom did you want to be president! Don’t say HH because HH is the greatest plunderer Zambia has ever seen, he is not in prison because he is a seasoned thief , if people make a mistake to put him in state house Zambia will regret to what they will see.
Mind you he has all the stolen resources and no one dare do nothing about it.
You why do you know why he is a very thief .
Just report HH to the state police or ACC if you have any evidence instead of showing ignorance in what you are saying. You are convinced all the past presidents including ECL will let HH Scot free if they have information that he stole? Your reasoning fits the easily cheated illiterates.
Who is really fight corruption, President E Lungu or Professor Mutharika?
i have great respect for the presidents of malawi and tanzania, they show good leadership qualities and are trying to rid corruption from their countries. well done your excellencies
In Tanzania and Malawi the presidents are busy working to improve their communities, in Zambia the president anya fye ifisushi in state house at stolen vote and tax payer expense.
I have great respect for our president. No unnecessary interference in ACC operations.
This issue is so hot and being taken very seriously by Malawi … Is the lame statement by Dora enough?
Lungu and tins have no sympathy…a neighbour is hungry..they take advantage to rob them..really laughable yet they are the first ones to declare National Days of Prayers!!
Men of GOLD, & their National prayers -(Opium), to pacify Dopey Zambians
We told you ati national prayers and yet they ate busy stealing while hiding behind Zambia been a Christian nation nyo nyo nyo. Lungu is from Malawi
THIS IS WHERE UPND ALWAYS HAS IT WRONG. DO NOT THINK BY TALKING RUBBISH HERE PEOPLE WILL CHANGE THEIR POSITION ON ECL. YOU ARE CHEATING YOURSELVES. ECL IS THE BELOVED DARLING OF ZAMBIANS. AND IF HE STANDS IN 2021, HE WILL WIN AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROLL. BUT YOUR GOD HH WILL CONTINUE BEING THUMPED DOWN. THE MAIZE SCANDAL IN MALAWI HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ECL AND WILL DEFINITELY NOT MAKE HH MORE POPULAR.