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A trial looking into the biggest financial scandal in Malawi’s history is about to begin in the capital, Lilongwe. At least 68 prominent figures stand accused of stealing funds in what has been dubbed “Cash Gate” by the media. It is estimated that more than $100m over a 10-year period has been lost.
President Joyce Banda, who has appointed international investigators to probe the allegations, has said that about 30 percent of the country’s budget could have been looted.
Donor countries are withholding millions of dollars in financial aid pending the investigation. Western donors provide about 40 percent of the country’s annual income.
“People are awaiting the outcome of this case with great intensity, knowing as they do that in the past cases such as this have simply disappeared,” Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna, reporting from Lilongwe, said.
“People want to know if this case will go through and whether people will be held responsible.”
Allegations of the massive looting of government funds surfaced after the shooting of budget director Paul Mphwiyo in September.
Mphwiyo, who survived the attack, had reportedly planned to reveal a corruption ring.
Banda dissolved the cabinet in October and sacked the powerful ministers of justice and finance. The president, who took office after the death of her predecessor in 2012, faces presidential, parliamentary and local government elections in May. — Sapa
Online Reporter