Malawi Police Service (MPS) agents have arrested 12 more individuals suspected of having taken part in the abuse of K6.2 billion meant for Covid response, as confirmed by MPS spokesperson James Kadadzera.

The arrests follow after 19 people were arrested on Sunday as they were also implicated in the Auditor General’s investigative report on the abuse of K6.2 billion funds. The 19 include Administration Officer in the Office of the President and Cabinet Rashid Mtelera, Commissioner in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services Pudenciana Makalamba, former director of information Mzati Nkolokosa and Pestchem 1B Director Martin Mainja. Part of the recently arrested were Samuel Nankhuni from the Ministry of Information and Steve Vinkhumbo from the Department of Disability and Elderly Affairs.

Following the mismanagement of the funds, the  Minister of Labour Ken Kandodo has been fired for the  abuse of Covid-19 funds, a call made by President Lazarus Chakwera.  “…I have dropped him from my Cabinet accordingly.” said the President  in a televised address from Mtunthama State residence in Lilongwe on Sunday evening.