Transglobe to be probed
The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture has said it will pursue further investigations into how Transglobe Produce Exports Limited got the nod to be part of this year’s Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp), committee Chairperson, Joseph Chidanti- Malunga, said Monday
Malunga said the committee met yesterday to map the way forward on resolutions the committee adopted last week and decided that, despite Transglobe withdrawing the injunction as demanded by the committee, investigations should continue.
“We are going ahead with our investigations including [investigations into] their past dealings. The major issue, however, is that Transglobe is claiming that it was cleared so we want to find out who cleared them and how the clearance was done. We all know that they are answering charges in court; so, how can they be cleared?” Malunga queried.
Transglobe, an agriculture commodities exporting arm of the Tayub Corporation, is in court facing corruption charges after being implicated in the infamous Zambian maize procurement scandal with axed minister of Agriculture, George Chaponda.
On October 20 2017, Transglobe obtained an injunction against the Minister of Agriculture and others, effectively halting some activities in this year’s Fisp, a move that threatened farming families who depend on Fisp.
“They held Malawians to ransom and we feel we still have to go ahead. We want to set a precedent. We do not want to be held at ransom again,” said Chidanti-Malunga
Transglobe was awarded a contract last month after the ACB gave consent, which gave a go-ahead to the Attorney General and the Director of Public Procurement (ODPP) to award them Fisp contract.
At least 32 companies applied to be this year’s Fisp suppliers, out of which 21 qualified. But, following clearance by ACB and ODPP, 14 companies were successful and were awarded contracts.
If the judicial review is sustained, Transglobe has chances of having its contract reconsidered while, on the other hand, the case will end if the court rules in favour of the State.
High Court judge Kenyatta Nyirenda has reserved his ruling on the matter.
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