/ 3 April 2000

MALAWI SUSPENDS UK FIRM UNDER CORRPUTION CLOUD

MALAWI’S government suspended its multi-million dollar contract with British pre-shipment clearance company Intertek Testing Services (ITS) on Friday following allegations that it was involved in corrupt practices in other African countries. The surprise move has been hailed as Malawi President Bakili Muluzi’s first real public stand against rampant corruption in the small central African country. Outspoken new finance minister Mathews Chikaonda said the suspension was ordered by Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) following confirmation that Uganda had expelled ITS for corruption.