Police in Lilongwe have arrested Deputy Director of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), Fyawupi Mwafongo, in connection with the abuse of K6.2 billion meant for COVID-19 pandemic.
Confirming the development to YFM, National Police Spokesperson, James Kadadzera, said Mwafongo was arrested on Tuesday evening.
Kadadzera said: “Yes I can confirm that we have arrested Dodma Deputy Director because he is implicated in Covid-19 funds abuse.”
He further said Mwafongo is expected to answer charges of theft by a public servant when he is taken to court.
Kadadzera said the arrest of Mwafongo is in line with an order by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steve Kayuni to Inspector General of Police George Kainja to start criminal investigations against the abuse of Covid-19 funds.
Recently, President Lazarus Chakwera fired Dodma commissioner James Chiusiwa for failing to demand accountability on funds spent on fighting the pandemic.
The developments follow reported mismanagement of over K6.2 billion meant for Covid-19 response, as exposed by the country’s Office of the Ombudsman.
Meanwhile, the country is curiously waiting for President Chakwera’s reaction on the expenditure reports for Covid-19 funds following reports of serious mismanagement.
