Saulos Chilima takes dig at Tractor-gate
By Yohane Symon:
Former State vice-president Saulos Chilima, who is also UTM president, Sunday said there was need to prosecute all people involved in the mismanagement of a tractor deal, loosely called Tractor-gate, involving $50 million loan.
Chilima was speaking at a rally he addressed at St Augustine 3 Primary School Ground in Mangochi District Sunday.
The government obtained the loan to buy tractors meant for One Village, One Product groups across the country.
However, the tractors were sold at giveaway prices to politicians and businesspersons.
Chilima said issuing a public apology in the way the tractor deal was handled cannot help prevent future misappropriation of public funds by the government officials who are entrusted with managing tax payers’ money.
“People who are involved in the tractor deal are known and still alive. They should be brought to book because the tractors were bought using a loan which Malawians will continue to pay. Apologising in public is not enough to stop corruption,” he said.
Last week, Agriculture Ministry released a public apology regretting the way the government handled the tractor deal, but Chilima said that should be followed by appropriate legal action.
He also encouraged Malawians to remain vigilant in holding the leadership accountable in the way public resources are used in the country.
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