/ 16 September 2000

MALAWI CORRUPTION PROBE WIDENS

The president of Malawi Bakili Muluzi has ordered all his cabinet ministers to disclose details of private companies they own or control as investigations into corruption in government gained momentum. Muluzi, currently on a private visit to Germany, said in a statement signed by Attorney General and Justice Minister Peter Fachi that public officers, including 193 parliamentarians, must submit their details directly to him by September 22. “The President is fed up and determined to clean up government of fraud and corruption,” Antony Livuza, government spokesman in the Ministry of Information he said. The move is designed to identify companies involved in corrupt dealings which have rocked the civil service, and the information will be passed on to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for action. Most of those loyal to Muluzi are involved in business contracts to supply various goods and services to government. The latest move comes after widespread reports of fraud following revelations by a special parliamentary committee which is screening audited reports from ministries.The state-appointed Anti-Corruption Bureau announced this week they had arrested five people in connection with the fraud.