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WHO GUARDS THE GUARDIAN? ACB CAUGHT PANTS DOWN IN SUSPECTED FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT SCANDAL

  • Fails to produce payment vouchers amounting to K20 million for audit inspection.
  • Assets worthy about K147.8 million not recorded in the fixed assets register.
  • Fuel worthy about K25.7 million not recorded in the fuel ledger.
  • Payments of K110.3 million without supporting documents.
  • Items worthy K2.2 million not delivered by the supplier.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has raised eyebrows over some financial transactions at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) during the financial year ending June 30 2019.

The observation was made on Tuesday (31st August 2021) when the ACB appeared before the committee at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe to answer questions on an audit report in relation to financial transactions worthy about K206 million.

The audit report faulted the ACB for acquiring assets worthy about K147.8 million which were never recorded in the fixed assets register, fuel worthy about K25.7 million not recorded in the fuel ledger, payments of about K110.3 million without supporting documents, stores items worthy K2.2 million not delivered by the supplier.

The ACB also failed to produce payment vouchers amounting to K20 million for audit inspection.

PAC vice-chairperson Ned Poya, who is a UDF legislator in the Parliament, said ACB needs to be exemplary in its operations, saying when the bureau goes after others, it should ensure that its own house is in order.

“We hope that in the 2020-2021 report, they will not come to PAC. As ACB, they are supposed to be a good example. When they are going after others, they should ensure that they are perfect,” Poya said.

PAC provides oversight on public finance management and engages various government ministries, departments, and agencies on queries raised by auditors. The office of the Auditor-General periodically carries out audits in all government MDAs in each financial year to account for the utilization and management of public funds.

Senior Editor
the authorSenior Editor