Governance and financial accountability watchdogs are pressing the new Parliament to urgently resume and complete its investigation into the controversial K750 million fertilizer deal from 2022, a scandal that saw public funds paid for undelivered goods.

The case involves a transaction between the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) and a UK-based company, Barkaat Foods Limited. Despite receiving a substantial commitment fee, the company failed to deliver any of the 25,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer intended for the 2022/23 Affordable Inputs Programme.

The National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) and the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) argue that lingering questions over procurement irregularities and alleged attempts to protect key officials demand decisive action.

Michael Kaiyatsa, Chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA), emphasized the urgency for parliamentary action.

 “This inquiry was on the verge of uncovering critical truths before it was suspended,” Kaiyatsa stated. “Parliament must now act swiftly to hold all negligent and complicit officials accountable. The public’s trust is on the line.”

The deal unravelled when it was revealed that Barkaat Foods, which acted as an intermediary, was originally a butchery and had no capacity to supply fertilizer. 

A joint parliamentary committee, then co-chaired by Sameer Suleman, now the Speaker of Parliament, uncovered significant irregularities and negligence in the procurement process before the inquiry was halted.

While approximately K563 million of the frozen funds was recovered from a German bank in August 2023, the watchdogs insist that financial recovery alone is not synonymous with accountability.

Willy Kambwandira, Executive Director for the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT), insists that closure is essential. 

“Recovering some of the money is a partial victory, but it does not absolve those responsible,” Kambwandira said. “The pending inquiries must be finalized, and appropriate sanctions imposed to deter such abuse of public resources in the future.”