By Phales Nthambo:
When public funds are lost because of poor decisions, the effects can be felt in communities.
A project may be delayed, a health facility may lack essential supplies, or a school may continue operating without the resources it needs.
The key issue is whether proper procedures were followed, whether reasonable care was taken in making the decision and whether those responsible acted in the public interest.
There are cases where government decisions and actions have resulted in significant financial liabilities for the state.
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For example, in 2018, government authorised a K3 billion payment to companies owned by businessman Leston Mulli as compensation for damage allegedly suffered during the July 20, 2011 demonstrations. The payment was authorised by the then Attorney General through a settlement agreement.
However, in 2025, the Supreme Court ordered Mulli to refund the K3 billion after the Attorney General challenged the earlier payment.
Another case involves the purchase of two Bell 412 helicopters for the Malawi Defence Force. Investigative reports based on court documents say the government paid an advance of about US$2 million, estimated at K3.4 billion, to a Zambian supplier.
The government later disputed the amount.
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The government has also challenged the validity of the contract, saying the helicopters were not airworthy. The matter has since gone to international arbitration.
These cases raise an important question what should happen to government officials whose decisions expose the state to large financial losses.
Speaking on Times Radio in Kulinji programme social commentator Fryson Chodzi said Malawi needs to closely examine decisions that result in government losing large amounts of money.
“Today, we are paying and those that made such decisions feel that it does not affect them,” he said.
He said government officials who make major decisions should be made accountable when those decisions result in losses.
“We also need to review our laws so that when a person takes part in a decision that leads to losses, they can also be held accountable,” Chodzi said.
Bright Limani a human resource expert, said holding someone to account should be based on facts and proper investigations.
Limani said Malawi needs stronger laws and systems to deal with officials whose decisions cause unnecessary financial losses.
“Our laws do not clearly provide for punishment for a person who makes a decision that leads to losses.
“We need to review the laws because government is losing money, and in some cases those responsible may need to face legal action,” Limani said.
According to Limani, investigations should establish whether a loss was caused by negligence, corruption, poor planning or circumstances beyond the official’s control.
For taxpayers, however, the main concern remains the same public money must be protected.
Holding people accountable does not only mean punishing them. It can also mean recovering lost money, improving government systems and ensuring that similar mistakes do not happen again.
The question is no longer only about how much money has been lost. It is also about whether those responsible are being held accountable and what lessons are being learned.
