CDEDI Pens PAC Over MRA and Treasury

Namiwa Namiwa - file photo

The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has written the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)to summon government entities over proceeds from tea and macadamia.

CDEDI claims that estates are not fulfilling Corporate Social Responsibility in the districts of Thyolo, Mulanje and Nkhata bay.

Executive director for the civil society organization, Sylvester Namiwa, told Zodiak Online on Wednesday that they want PAC to summon Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and ministry of finance to make public information on proceeds the estates get because they are not helping the districts.

Namiwa says it is disheartening that many social amenities in Mulanje, Thyolo and Nkhatabay are in sorry state when it is believed that tea and macadamia industries are raking in billions of money.

Namiwa added that apart from laying off hundreds of local workers in the estates, most roads, schools and hospitals are not being rehabilitated by these players.

"If you go to Thyolo and Mulanje you will notice that they are in a very sorry state and highly populated because of these estates. They are exerting a lot of pressure on social amenities.

“People ask on what is it that these estates are doing to give back to the communities on the land which they are benefiting, but were obtained corruptly," Namiwa said.

Meanwhile, PAC Chairperson Shadreck Namalomba, says they are scrutinizing the request if it merits investigations.

"Currently what I would say is that we are looking at the modalities as to how that can be done. It requires proper planning, money, who to invite and need to get more of background information. So, at the moment that is what we are doing.

"At the right moment, we will now let all the parties concerned know exactly when we are doing to have the hearing," Namalomba said.

In December last year, CDEDI also made a similar request to PAC, but nothing happened.

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