The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera has relieved his Vice President SaulosChilima of all delegated powers after the latter was named in a massive corruption scandal in government contracts already implicating several senior officials.
In a televised address, Chakwera said “I have decided to withdraw all delegated functions” from Vice President SaulosChilima.
It was gathered that the announcement follows a new report by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which is investigating British-Malawian businessman Zuneth Sattar on suspicion of corruption, fraud and money laundering.
Reports also have it that several ministers and former ministers have already been arrested in connection with the case.
Chakwera said “The office found that a total of 53 public officials and former public officials allegedly received money from Mr Sattar in the eight months between March and October 2021”.
Also, the Malawi’s number one suspended his chief of staff and the country’s police chief.
“In addition, the Bureau found that 31 other people from the private sector, the media, civil society and the legal profession also received money from Mr Sattar,” bringing the total to 84 people suspected of being involved, he added.
Reports have it that the police and military had awarded 16 contracts worth $150 million to five companies owned by Mr Sattar between 2017 and 2021.
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