By Chisomo Phiri

The government says it has now recovered about K600 million which was paid to a United Kingdom(UK)-based butchery, Barkaat Foods Limited, for affordable fertiliser procurement.

Attorney General (AG), Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, who is currently in Germany confirmed of the news to the local media on Thursday saying the funds have already been sent to the Malawi Government through an account belonging to the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM).

“I can confirm that the money has indeed been transferred and should reflect in the SFFRFM account any day from today,” Chakaka said.

Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu also confirmed of the money being recovered saying: “I can confirm that the transfer of 516.975,21 EUR to the account of the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi, and being reimbursement of the money paid towards the botched fertiliser supply deal in 2022 has been effected.”

In an email to Nyirenda, a senior public prosecutor in Munich Chief Public Prosecutor’s office Florian Weinzieri said the transfer of 516,975.21 Euros (about K610 million) has been initiated.

“I am happy to inform that just a few minutes ago, the transfer of the amount of 516, 975, 21 EUR to the account of the Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi-SFRFM was initiated. Of course it might take a few days until the amount will appear on the account,” reads the email.

Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture Barkaat Foods Limited to supply fertilizer and paid it the above mentioned money in installments to two accounts held in two countries.

The payment was made without following proper procedures as officials bypassed Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority as well as the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

After payment of the money, a team from the Ministry of Agriculture traveled to the United Kingdom where the officials realized that government had been duped since Barkaat Foods Limited does not have capacity to supply fertilizer.