By Wadza Botomani
BLANTYRE, Malawi – A widely circulated social media claim alleging that four individuals personally received K500 million from a government media contract is false, according to an examination of official procurement documents.
The allegations specifically named Gospel Kazako, Joab Chakhaza, Luke Tembo, and Gabriel Kamlomo. However, records show the contract was awarded through an open and competitive process managed by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA).
Contract Awarded to Company, Not Individuals
The successful bidder was CG Communications, a company established in 1999. Its bid of K485 million was the lowest submitted, with several competing bids exceeding K1 billion. The contract was for producing documentaries, jingles, and promotional materials on water and sanitation.
Furthermore, a significant majority of the contract value—K402 million, or 83 percent—was earmarked for airtime payments to be made directly to various radio stations and national broadcasters. Officials confirmed that only a 30 percent advance has been paid, and the full contract value remains unsettled.
Named Individuals Listed as Proposed Experts
The four men were named in the company’s technical proposal as proposed experts for their respective fields, such as media policy and scriptwriting. This is described as a standard and mandatory requirement in public tender processes and does not equate to a payment to those individuals.
A review of all related documents, including the contract and payment vouchers, found no evidence that any of the named individuals received the K500 million or any similar sum.
Sources suggest the smear campaign is being driven by disappointed bidders and political actors aiming to tarnish the reputations of the professionals involved. The investigation concludes that the procurement was transparent and lawful, with the only irregularity being the fabricated allegations themselves.