Zambian opposition petitions for setting tribunal to probe Malawi maize scandal

A Zambian opposition party on Monday presented a petition to the country's chief judge to set up a tribunal to investigate agriculture minister Dora Siliya on her alleged involvement in a maize export scandal to Malawi.

The United Progress Party (UPP) has asked Chief Justice Irene Mambilima to set up the tribunal to investigate the minister for allegedly being the chief facilitator in the 34.5-million-U.S.-dollar maize export scandal.

UPP President Savior Chishimba said the minister should be investigated for alleged breach of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct when she allowed for a permit to be issued for the export of 100,000 tonnes of maize to Malawi which was shrouded in controversy.

He said there was enough evidence to show that the minister was involved in the maize scandal, adding that setting up the tribunal will help to clear the air.

Authorities in Malawi have already set up a Commission of Inquiry on the scandal, which presented its report to parliament last week.

Chidanti Malunga, who was chairperson of the Inquiry, told parliament that the investigation was worth it as it saved a lot of money which could have exchanged hands through abuse of office and corruption.

But the Zambian minister last month denied the government's involvement in the maize scandal.

She said the Malawian government did not buy the maize from the government but from individual farmers and that the only role the government played was to issue a permit of clearance. Endit