Police arrest Chipiku Stores branch manager for overpricing AIP farm inputs
Mponela Police in Dowa District have arrested Bowe Chipiku Stores branch manager for allegedly selling subsidised farm inputs under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) higher than the recommended prices.
The suspect was identified as Hanania Kaonga Nkhoma aged 40 of Msampha Village in Traditional Authority Dzoole in the district.
Mponela Police spokesperson Kaitano Lubrino said Bowe Chipiku Stores branch commenced the sale of subsidised farm inputs on November 2 2020.
However, beneficiaries were surprised to note that the prices at which they were redeeming the inputs were higher than the government recommended ones.
“It is alleged that the beneficiaries were being asked to pay K5 500 for a 50 kilogramme bag of fertiliser and K3 000 for five kilogramme pack of maize seed instead of the recommended K4 495 and K2 000 respectively,”he said.
Lubrino further explained that the issue was brought to light when beneficiaries who went to buy the inputs started protesting after noticing that almost seven people bought them at higher prices.
The development prompted the police to rush to the scene and arrest the manager. In the process, they recovered K18 000.
Meanwhile, the law enforcers have assured Malawians that they are strictly monitoring implementation of the Affordable Inputs Programme, saying they have put robust measures to ensure it runs smoothly.
