BIU hit by Chashgate-like Scam

Police in Blantyre have arrested a finance officer for privately owned Blantyre International University (BIU) while another is at large after they allegedly staged a Cashgate-like fraud at the institution.

BIU accountant Francis Chiwaula and Blantyre Police Station spokesperson Elizabeth Divala confirmed the arrest of 26-year-old Francis Kapalamula in separate interviews on Monday.

Kapalamula and another suspect, George Matekenya, were working as BIU assistant finance officers.

The arrest comes a week after a student at Mzuzu University (Mzuni) was also arrested for allegedly masterminding another Cashgate-style heist at the institution where about K6 million ($9,578.54) was stolen through the creation of ghost students.

Chiwaula said investigations were still in progress to quantify the stolen money but the two are suspected to have swindled about K1 358 400 ($2,168.58) within the month of November.

“The suspect was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with the offence of theft by servant contrary to Section 278 as read with Section 286 [1] of the Penal Code,” said Divala.

Chiwaula alleged that the suspects were collecting fees from students and forged bank deposit slips which were being submitted to the institution’s cashiers. n