By Cathy Maulidi:
Details have emerged that some Malawian diplomats are falsifying information to benefit from government support in the form of their children’s school fees, contravening public service regulations.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, eligible dependents include biological children under the age of 18 and adopted children before the diplomat’s appointment, with a maximum of four children covered under the arrangement.
However, sources have confided in Malawi News that some diplomats are deliberately providing false information to the government for children above 18 years to continue benefitting from government support.
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A source within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said some of the embassies with such issues include the Brussels and Belgium ones.
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“It’s a clear case of abuse of privilege and disregard for the set regulations,” said a source within the ministry.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been sending reminders to diplomats to submit updated information on their dependents, a call our sources said is not being complied with by some officials.
In a letter dated January 10 2023, signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ O.J Botha for Secretary for Foreign Affairs, referenced EA/HR/C/1/2 to all missions, requested all diplomats to send updated staff records.
Another letter, dated June 26 2024, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Agnes Mononga, who signed on behalf of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, reminded the diplomats to send their updated list of eligible children.
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“The ministry is requesting all missions abroad for an updated staff return and list of eligible children, strictly using the attached template. The staff return should include local staff.
“Let me take this opportunity to remind you that according to the Malawi Public Service Regulations, book 4, eligible dependents are: Biological children under the age of 18, children under 18 years who were adopted before the appointment of the diplomat to the foreign mission and maximum of four children under 18 years of age,” the letter reads.
The letter further indicates that all diplomats are requested to submit the said information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a cover letter before July 1 2024.
Sources said although the ministry has sent such letters, it is aware of the issue of falsified information because previous audits by the Auditor General condemned the same.
An administrative circular dated June 13 2023, Ref. No. EA/ADMIN/96, from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to all heads of Malawi diplomatic missions bemoaned non-compliance with regulations and procedures in the management of government resources by Malawi diplomatic missions.
“It has been observed that some missions have, on various occasions, been queried for expenditures on family members of diplomats who are not eligible to get government financial support.
“You are reminded that a child is eligible for payment of school fees at primary school level by the government when the child attains the age of six. If a child of a diplomat reaches 19 years whilst at the duty station, he/she is no longer entitled to dependent benefits. All missions are, therefore, advised to ensure that these guidelines are being adhered to in order to avoid future audit queries,” the circular reads.
Documents in our possession further indicate that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been warning diplomats that failure to comply with the set regulations would result in disciplinary action.
“We will not tolerate any abuse of privilege or disregard for the rules and set regulations,” one of the ministry’s circulars reads.
But our source said some diplomats continue to abuse their privileges despite all the warnings.
“Many diplomats are doing this; they have children over 20 years benefitting from government’s school fees. The ministry is aware [of the issue]. This issue has been coming out in the audits but nothing happens,” the source said.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Bernard Sande said at the moment, the diplomats have furnished the ministry with the right information but if anyone is found doing the opposite, there will be repercussions.
“All diplomats are told to adhere to the regulations and procedures to avoid any queries. The public service regulations are clear on the eligibility of family members and any diplomat found abusing the system will face disciplinary action,” Sande said.
Commenting on the development, governance expert with Transparency Initiative Nicholas Mwisama described the behaviour as undiplomatic.
“It’s crucial that our diplomatic representatives embody diplomatic behaviour and ethics, effectively showcasing our nation’s values abroad,” Mwisama said.
“We must re-evaluate our appointment processes for diplomatic offices as, historically, these positions have been exploited as a reward for political loyalty rather than merit. This approach has yielded unfavourable consequences. It’s time for us to learn from these mistakes and make necessary improvements,” he said.
