The Senior Resident Magistrate’s court in Lilongwe has granted bail to former minister of finance Joseph Mwanamvekha who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) earlier on Tuesday.
According to ACB, Mwanamvekha is suspected to have abused and neglected his official duties by arbitrarily approving an exorbitant and unbudgeted for procurement contract between Government and One Guard FZE for the supply of Uniforms and Equipment for Malawi Prison Service (MPS).
This follows an allegation which the ACB recorded in 2020 that the Homeland Security Ministry suspiciously procured the uniforms and equipment from One Guard FZE of United Arab Emirates without following procedures.
“On 16 August, 2022, the ACB arrested Joseph Mwanamvekha, former Minister of Finance. This is over allegations that he abused his office by arbitrarily approving US$18, 374,460 to Ministry of Homeland Security for the unlawful procurement of Uniforms and Equipment for Malawi Prison Service,” reads the ACB statement.
Delivering his bail ruling, Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda has ordered Mwanamvekha to pay a K1 million cash bond, produce two traceable and reliable sureties bonded at K10 million each, reporting to ACB offices once fortnightly and not interfering with State’s investigation.
Meanwhile, ACB Prosecutor Moira Mlava the Bureau has completed its investigations on the matter and had applied for consent from Director of Public Prosecutions.
She said: “The ACB has completed its investigations and today we only came to inform him the reason of his incarceration and we have applied for consent from the DPP.”
Meanwhile, lawyer representing Mwanamvekha – Mercy Chijere said the defense will be waiting for disclosures from the ACB.
“As defence we are very much to defend the accused once prosecution commences,” Chijere said.
According to the graft-bursting body, Mwanamvekha abused his office and neglected official duties by among other things approving disbursement of funds to Ministry of Homeland Security without verifying the urgency and importance of the procurement.
The court has set 22 August 2022 as date it will continue hearing the matter.
