FIU official facilitated Cashgate, nabbed
The Anti-Corruption Bureau-ACB has arrested Fumbani Mhango, a manager at the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for allegedly leaking sensitive financial intelligence information to some cashgate suspects and facilitating some of the transactions.
The ACB says Mhango, a Monitoring and Analysis manager, was conniving with suspects that plundered the economy through money and information facilitation.
“Mr. Mhango, (Manager, Monitoring and Analysis) at the Financial Intelligence Unit abused his office by leaking sensitive financial intelligence information to some suspects and facilitating some of the transactions,” said ACB spokesperson, Egrita Ndala in a statement.
ACB’s investigations started after complaints were made that government officers at Capital Hill were making illegal entries into the Integrated Financial Management Information System (Ifmis) with intent to defraud government. Although some people were arrested in connection with the theft, ACB did not get to the bottom of the matter until the arrest of the FIU official.
ACB says the suspect is likely to be charged with four counts of misuse of office, aiding and abetting, improperly disclosing information and money laundering which is contrary to Sections 25B (1), 35 and 25C (1)(a)(b) of the Corruption Practices Act and 35(1)(d) of the Money Laundering, Proceeds of Serious Crimes and Terrorist Financing Act and tax related charges.
Malawi lost billions of Kwacha through illegal transactions in what is commonly known as Cashgate. A number of people have so far been convicted while others are still being tried in court.
The theft of public funds forced donors to suspend budgetary support to government.
