Fraud: Rumphi council uses CDF to settle loans

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Money currency

At a time when district councils in the Malawi continue to get underfunded, reports indicate that Rumphi district council has used constituency development funds (CDF) amounting to about 4.2 million Kwacha to pay for a loan.

The funds were meant for various developmental activities in Rumphi west. A source told our reporter that the council used the money to refund part of the loan it owes former legislator for Rumphi north, late Tasokwa Msiska.

“The council owes the late Msiska about 8 million Kwacha. The loan has been there for long now and after some pressure, authorities had to take 4.2 million kwacha CDF money meant for Rumphi west to pay back part of the amount,” revealed the source who pleaded for anonymity.

Money
Up for grabs

Rumphi district commissioner, Lusizi Nhlane, confirmed the development and said that late Msiska made agreements with the council to use his personal money in various development projects when the council had no money.

Terms of agreement were that the council was to pay back the money after receiving funds from government but then things seemed to work against their wishes.

“We still have the balance to settle and as I am talking, court officials have confiscated our three motor bikes on the same case,” he said.

In reaction to the revelations , legislator for Rumphi west told our reporter that what happened was unreasonable and uncalled for because her constituents doesn’t deserve to pay for sins done by others.

She maintained that as a legislator, her efforts will see to it that the money goes to the constituency for intended purposes no matter the conditions and justifications the council may give.