Malawi Freedom Network 
By Our Reporter
The National Advocacy Platform (NAPP) has called on President Professor Peter Mutharika to demonstrate leadership over a disputed K700 million payment reportedly linked to fuel operations involving Mozambique.
NAPP executive director Benedicto Kondowe has urged the President to take a keen interest in the matter, amid differing explanations over the movement of the funds.
Kondowe also cautioned the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) over its communication on the issue, saying the institution needs to be careful with its statements to avoid creating confusion among Malawians.
The controversy centres on approximately K700 million reportedly intended for Mozhandling, a company involved in fuel handling operations in Mozambique.
NOCMA denies money was sent to wrong account
NOCMA has rejected claims that the K700 million was transferred to an incorrect bank account.
NOCMA spokesperson Raymond Likambale said the company had received fraudulent communication purporting to notify it of changes to Mozhandling’s bank account details.
According to Likambale, despite the fraudulent communication, the funds ultimately reached the intended account.
He said NOCMA subsequently verified the transaction with Bank of America.
Likambale further said National Bank, which processed the transfer, would not have released the funds without first confirming the destination account.
NAPP wants greater accountability
Kondowe, however, believes the circumstances surrounding the transaction require clear explanations and strong leadership.
He has called on President Mutharika to provide leadership on the matter, particularly as questions continue to emerge over the reported K700 million transaction.
The NAPP chief also urged NOCMA to communicate carefully, warning that conflicting or unclear statements could further confuse the public.
Conflicting explanations fuel questions
The dispute has attracted attention because the parties involved appear to have different accounts of what happened to the money.
While concerns have been raised over an alleged transfer to the wrong account, NOCMA maintains that the funds reached the correct destination after the company received fraudulent information regarding Mozhandling’s banking details.
The conflicting explanations have left questions over how the transaction was initiated, how the alleged fraudulent communication was handled and what verification procedures were followed before the payment was completed.
The matter is likely to remain under scrutiny as stakeholders seek clarity over the K700 million transaction and the systems used to safeguard public funds.
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