CDEDI accuses Salima Sugar Executives of misusing company funds
By Michael Martin//MALAWI
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has accused the government of failing to recover money allegedly misused by top officials of Salima Sugar Company.
According to CDEDI, these officials abused company resources without following proper financial procedures.
Its Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa, made these remarks during a press briefing held in Lilongwe today.
Namiwa said former company executive Wester Kossam was involved in questionable financial transactions.
He alleged that Kossam used about 260 million kwacha to pay a colleague who was expected to import fertiliser for the company last year.
However, Namiwa noted that the fertiliser never arrived in Malawi.
This, he said, is clear evidence that the money was wasted or mismanaged.
CDEDI believes the failure to recover these funds raises serious concerns about accountability at the company.
Namiwa further claimed that Kossam was involved in yet another suspicious transaction.
This time, he reportedly released a staggering 1.3 billion kwacha to Ronald Mdoka.
The money was meant for the purchase of sugar from Brazil.
According to CDEDI, the sugar was supposed to be delivered to Malawi within a reasonable timeframe.
But up to now, Namiwa said, no sugar has arrived in the country.
This delay, he argued, is worsening continued shortage of sugar in thecountry.
He stressed that the absence of the imported sugar is affecting the local market severely.
Namiwa warned that the sugar crisis will persist if those responsible are not held accountable.
CDEDI is therefore urging the government to take prompt action.
The organisation wants authorities to investigate the alleged misuse of funds thoroughly.
It also demands that all misappropriated money be recovered from the implicated officials.
Namiwa concluded by saying that Malawians deserve transparency and accountability, especially in state linked enterprises like Salima Sugar Company.
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