Man behind bars for defrauding 80 FISP beneficiaries in Ntcheu

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Police in Ntcheu district have arrested a 48 year old man, Ackim Jana of Mkwezalamba Village under Traditional Authority Kwataine for allegedly defrauding beneficiaries of the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP).

Ntcheu Police Station Public Relations Officer, Inspector Jacob Khembo has confirmed the arrest and said the suspect approached the farmers individually with the false arrangement.

Khembo said Jana is accused of deceiving villagers into believing that he could help them access fertilizer more easily under the government subsidy programme.

According to Khembo , the suspect collected an extra K15,000 from each beneficiary, claiming the money was required to facilitate the purchase of fertilizer.

He added that the scam reportedly affected about 80 FISP beneficiaries from Mkwezalamba, Hambahamba and Kumdana villages in the district.

Inspector Khembo explained that Jana told the beneficiaries he was connected to the Small Holder Farmers Revolving Fertilizer selling depot at Jobe.

Following investigations, police searched Jana’s house where they discovered cash amounting to K996,750.

Police also recovered a list containing the names of all beneficiaries who had paid the K15,000 to the suspect.

Jana is currently in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of fraud and obtaining money by false pretences.