Vanduzi administrator not sacked over corruption – Manica Governor

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Vanduzi administrator not sacked over corruption – Manica Governor

9:30 CAT | 19 Aug 2016

O País / Alberto Mondlane, governor of Manica province

The governor of the central Mozambican province of Manica, Alberto Mondlane, on Wednesday denied that last week’s dismissal of the administrator of Vanduzi district, Sabado Malendza, had anything to do with the alleged theft of ten million meticais (about 141,000 US dollars, at current exchange rates) from public funds, as some of the media had claimed.

In fact, it was Malendza, who was appointed district administrator in mid-2015, who initiated investigations into major corruption in Vanduzi. Malendza uncovered theft, not of 10 million, but of 24 million meticais, supposedly masterminded by the district permanent secretary, Lucas Chichingue, and involving five other local officials.

When Malendza was relieved of his duties as administrator, reports soon appeared that he too was corrupt.

Mondlane, however, declared that anyone who claims that Malendza lost his job because of embezzlement “is totally deceived”. The theft of public funds in Vanduzi is now in the hands of the prosecutors and the courts, and has nothing to do with Malendza, he added.

“This is normal procedure in the public administration, where people are relieved of their duties, and are then entrusted with other activities. That’s the case with Sabado Malendza”, said the governor. “He is going to undertake other tasks within the province. I cannot yet announce what he will do, because those with the power to make appointments have not yet sent me the relevant dispatch”.

Mondlane added that Malendza “will go to another sector where he will continue to make his contribution to the growth of the province and of the country. Of this I have no doubt”.

As for those really responsible for the theft of public resources in Vanduzi, Mondlane refused to preempt decisions by the courts. Accused persons “are innocent until proven guilty. It is not worthwhile for the provincial governor to speak of this matter to the press”.

Source: AIM