ACB arrests Mwanamveka over $18.3 million prison uniform scandal

Malawi: The ACB has arrested Malawi’s former Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka for allegedly abusing his position by authorising a payment to the Ministry of Homeland Security for the purchase of uniforms.

According to the ACB's spokesperson Egrita Ndala, Mr Mwanamveka approved the payment of $18.3 million to the Homeland Security Ministry for the purchase of uniforms and equipment for the Malawi Prison Service, which was illegal.

Ndala said the ACB conducted investigations following reports in October 2020 of a suspicious procurement from a company called One Guard FZE of Dubai.

'The investigations showed that the former finance minister abused his office by approving the payment without considering the urgency and importance of the said equipment,' reads part of the ACB statement.

The former finance minister, according to Ms Ndala, will face charges of abuse of office and neglect of official duties.