Govt insists repatriation cost K9bn only

The government has dismissed claims that it spent K24 billion to repatriate Malawians from South Africa, insisting the allegations are false. Leader of the House Jappie Mhango told Parliament that the government, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), spent K9 billion on the repatriation exercise involving 42,000 Malawians. The issue arose after Lilongwe Nyanja MP Baba Steven Malondera claimed he had credible evidence showing the government spent K24 billion on the exercise. Malondera also alleged that the government paid K1.6 million per person for bus transport during the repatriation. Mhango rejected the allegations, describing them as false and misleading, and challenged Malondera to substantiate his claims. He further urged government MPs to move a motion to remove Malondera as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on National Affairs. Mhango also demanded that the legislator publicly apologise to Parliament for what he described as misleading the House. However, Malondera has since submitted what he says is supporting evidence to Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Victor Musowa for consideration. Sponsored