Its Executive Director Slyvester Namiwa says that the money was part of the 2-billion-kwacha allocation to Dodma, and therefore it is surprising that the women are yet to be repatriated, as the minister alleged that some of the women are refusing to return.

Namiwa has described Tembo's sentiments in Parliament recently as inconsiderate and irresponsible, and that she should have been sincere about it and tell Malawians where the money is, and the reason that the women are yet to be brought back home.

"She did not speak as a woman. She was inconsiderate and irresponsible by saying that some of the women enslaved in Oman are refusing to return. This is an attempt to frustrate efforts to bring the women back, and also to dodge questions on accountability of the 400 million kwacha that was set aside for the repatriation", says Namiwa.

The CDEDI director also demanded that the Department of Disaster Management-Dodma should come in the open and disclose the whereabouts of the 400 million kwacha.

However, some people that we have talked to at Dodma on condition of anonymity have told us that out of two billion kwacha allocated to Dodma, only 1.6 billion kwacha was disbursed, therefore the 400 million kwacha is out of the question.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs John Kabaghe has told us that treasury has made available the funds, which may be sent to Malawi embassy in Kuwait next week.

"We have to work with the Reserve Bank of Malawi on this but the Ministry of Finance has released the money, so probably next week this should start. The only delay may be due to ramadhan, but the repatriation will soon take place", said Kabaghe.

Government has repeatedly been telling Malawians that it has purchased 50 tickets for the repatriation, but the exercise delays allegedly due to some logistical and other considerations that have to be made.