The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) say government should publish the entire preliminary forensic audit report and the executive summary which was submitted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In a press statement signed by CHRR acting executive director Timothy Mtambo and Cedep executive director Gift Trapence on Tuesday, the two civil society organisations (CSOs) have also joined opposition’s calls for immediate convening of Parliament to enable the House to debate the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) findings of cashgate following its fulfilment of the assignments.
But government, through Secretary to the Treasury Newby Kumwembe, refused to comment on the matter.
CHRR and Cedep say they have belief that Malawians have a right to know the contents of the report.
The statement reads in part: “The publishing of the two documents will clear the prevailing suspicion as well as enhance the credibility and acceptability of the forensic audit by the general public. There are fears in some quarters that government supported by some key stakeholders in the preliminary forensic audit report are buying time in order to subject the document to manipulation.
“On whether such fears are rooted in speculations, the Government of Malawi can rise up and spruce up its already battered image through not only an immediate publishing of the forensic audit report but also calling on Parliament to convene as per their last session consensus so that the Public Accounts Committee should update the house on its findings to the cashgate.”
Ministry of Finance spokesperson Nations Msowoya referred The Nation to Kumwembe who said he could not comment on the issue and pushed the issue back to Msowoya who was reportedly locked in a meeting.
“I can’t comment this through the media. Let our spokesperson [Msowoya] speak,” said Kumwembe.
Attempts to talk to Minister of Finance Maxwell Mkwezalamba proved futile as he did not pick his phone despite several attempts.
