By Durell Namasani
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera Tuesday evening addressed the nation on matters on national interest at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Last month, the President addressed the nation on matters related to a British national, Zunneth Sattar, on allegations that he had been bribing public officers in exchange for Government contracts.
Chakwera gave the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) 21 days to give a report that would inform Malawians of the full extent of the matter whose period elapsed Tuesday, June 21
.
The President has since suspended Chief of Staff at State Residences, Prince Kapondamgaga, to pave way for investigations, has fired Inspector General of Police, George Kainja.
Vice President, Saulos Chilima, has his delegated powers withheld until the ACB substantiates its allegations against him and decides on its course of action.
President Lazarus Chakwera’s address on the Zuneth Sattar investigation focused on these key areas
The President has said he is withdrawing all delegated responsibilities from the Vice President Saulos Chilima, suspended his Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga and fired the head of the Police Service George Kainja.
In a five year period between 2017 and 2021, five companies belonging to Sattar were given 16 contracts worth 150 million US dollars.
Most of the contracts flouted procurement laws and were grossly overpriced, the President added.
The ACB has conducted investigations into 13 individuals including the Vice President which revealed they had conducted themselves corruptly.
A total of 53 public officials including from the military, judiciary, police, Ministry of Justice, Office of President and Cabinet, Vice President’s office, PPDA, and 31 private citizens including journalists and civil society received money from Sattar during the period of investigation.
No sitting minister has been implicated.
The ACB advised the President not to make the report public. The President unhappy with ACB boss for sharing report with the Chief Justice and Speaker of parliament.
