By Suleman Chitera
Growing public anger is mounting over what many Malawians describe as the silent burial of the maize theft case involving transporter Smolet Kachere, accused of stealing maize from ADMARC, the state grain marketer. Months after the matter surfaced, there has been no clear conclusion, no public update, and no visible accountability—raising deeper questions about how maize is handled, tracked, and protected within ADMARC.
A Case That Went Quiet
When reports first emerged that maize meant for public distribution had allegedly been diverted by a contracted transporter, expectations were high that authorities would move swiftly. ADMARC maize is not ordinary cargo—it is a strategic national resource meant to cushion vulnerable Malawians from hunger, especially during lean periods.
However, the case has since gone cold, with no arrests publicly confirmed, no court proceedings communicated, and no official explanation on the outcome of internal investigations. For many citizens, the silence is alarming.
“This is not just about one transporter,” said a Lilongwe-based governance activist. “It is about a system that allows maize to disappear without consequences.”
Bigger Than One Transporter
Analysts and civil society groups argue that focusing solely on Smolet Kachere risks missing the bigger picture. They contend that maize theft at ADMARC cannot occur without systemic failures or collusion—from depot level, transport logistics, documentation, and oversight mechanisms.
Key unanswered questions remain:
- How much maize was allegedly stolen, and from which ADMARC depot?
- Who authorized the transportation and signed off on delivery notes?
- Were weighbridge records reconciled with depot dispatch figures?
- What disciplinary or legal action has been taken so far, if any?
Without answers, suspicion grows that the case is being deliberately suppressed to protect powerful interests.
Public Trust at Stake
ADMARC has for decades been positioned as a lifeline for smallholder farmers and low-income households. But repeated scandals involving missing maize, dubious contracts, and delayed investigations continue to erode public confidence.
“Every bag of maize stolen is food taken away from a hungry family,” said a Dedza resident affected by high maize prices. “When cases like this are ignored, it feels like the poor don’t matter.”
Calls for a Full, Independent Investigation
Malawians are now calling for a comprehensive, independent investigation into maize handling at ADMARC—beyond this single case. Civil society organizations are urging the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, and the National Audit Office to step in.
They want:
- A forensic audit of ADMARC maize movements
- Public disclosure of findings on the Kachere case
- Prosecution of anyone found culpable, regardless of rank
Silence Is Not an Option
As hunger pressures intensify and maize prices remain volatile, the country can ill afford unanswered questions around its food reserves. The continued silence over the Smolet Kachere maize theft allegations risks reinforcing a dangerous perception: that stealing from the poor carries no consequences.
For ADMARC and government authorities, the choice is stark—come clean and restore trust, or allow yet another maize scandal to rot in silence while Malawians pay the price.
