APM extends maize saga inquiry report deadline

President Peter Mutharika has granted a seven-day extension to the commission of inquiry probing matters involving the procurement of maize by Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) from Zambia.

The commission, which the President appointed on January 1 2017, was initially expected to report its findings on January 31 2017, but according to a statement released by its chairperson retired Chief Justice Anastasia Msosa on Friday, the committee will submit its report on February 9 2017.

“The commission has been conducting inquiries and is making good progress. However, due to the nature of the inquiries and the information to be analysed, the commission will not be able to release the report by the previously announced date,” reads part of the statement signed by Msosa.

Before the commission of inquiry was appointed, pressure mounted on President Mutharika to suspend Admarc chief executive officer Foster Mulumbe and Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda to create room for an impartial and independent probe into the saga.