By Mercy Matonga:
The Office of the Vice President has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that State Vice-President Jane Ansah is set to spend K1.9 billion on a private trip to the United Kingdom (UK).
In a statement signed by communications officer in the Office of the Vice-President, Richard Mveriwa, the office says the documents in circulation are fake and did not originate from any government institution, describing the reports as misleading.
“The Office of the Vice President would like to inform the general public that the documents currently circulating on social media purporting to show the budget for Her Honour, Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah SC JA (retired), [as regards] the Vice President’s official trip to the United Kingdom, are fake and misleading,” the statement reads.
The statement also cautions people not to rely on unverified information, adding that the government remains committed to serving Malawians efficiently.
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“The office wishes to categorically state that these documents did not originate from any government institution and do not reflect official records or approved government expenditures. Members of the public are, therefore, advised to treat such information with caution and to rely only on communication issued through official government channels,” Mveriwa says.
The Daily Times reached out to Mveriwa to provide the correct details of the trip, but he had not responded to us by press time.
Commenting on the matter, National Advocacy Platform Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said it would be better for the government to disclose details about the full cost, funding sources, approval processes and value-for-money justification in a clear and accessible manner.
“In an austerity context, where citizens are being asked to tighten their belts, public officials must meet a higher standard of openness,” Kondowe said.
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Kondowe also urged the government to routinely publish detailed travel budgets and post-trip outcomes so that such trips are judged not on speculation but on demonstrable national benefit rather than reactive damage control.
On his part, Centre for Social Transparency and Accountability Executive Director Willy Kambwandira said dismissing the documents as “false and misleading” without releasing the authentic travel budget, passenger list and funding sources undermined public trust rather than restoring it.
“In a climate of severe fiscal stress, Malawians are justified to be skeptical. Trust is not demanded by press statements; it is earned through full, verifiable disclosure,” Kambwandira said.
The Office of the Vice President has faced heavy criticism following reports that the Vice President intends to undertake a private trip with a 15-member delegation.
