A recent auditor General’s report has revealed that over 137 million kwacha went missing at the Malawi Defense Force Headquarters.

The report, ending June 30, 2008, sites dubious transactions with no proper receipts for payments made for fuel and other items as the major areas of suspicion.

Ministry of Defense Principal Secretary Mr. Patrick Kachimera has refused to comment on the report findings saying the matter is only at a preliminary stage.

The Audit inspection of financial and stores records at the Malawi Defense Force head office exposed a number of weaknesses in the existing financial controls.

The MDF failed to produce payment vouchers for funds drawn by officers for various field activities totaling to 45 million kwacha, for example.

About 50 million kwacha which the report says was meant for purchasing different equipment was just unaccounted for.

Over 17 million kwacha went into fuel that was not recorded in the register and another 17 million kwacha was used to purchase different equipment without approval of the internal procurement committee, the report says.

Contacted for comment, MDF spokesperson Colonel Clement Namangale instead referred this reporter to Home affairs and internal security headquarters. 

And Defense principal secretary Mr. Patrick Kachimera refused to comment on the report findings, saying it was only at a preliminary stage.

However, Public relations officer in the Auditor General’s office Mr. Timothy Sandramu, told ZBS that the report has been submitted to parliament for action.

After an audit report is out, controlling officers respond in writing to the Auditor General’s office clarifying the queries raised and if not satisfied, they are summoned to appear before the public affairs Committee for questioning.

Parliament is yet to confirm receipt of the report in question.