Malawi President Fires Cabinet Minister Over COVID Funds

BLANTYRE - Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera has fired his labor minister and arrested 19 officials for fraudulent use of funds meant to fight the coronavirus.  The arrests came after an audit revealed Malawi officials used millions of dollars in funds for their own expenses.  Political analysts say the firing was less punishment than a means to deter other fraud.

Malawi’s Labor Minister Ken Kandodo is the highest-level official that President Lazarus Chakwera fired for misusing coronavirus funds.    According to a government audit, Kandodo used less than $800 from the COVID fund for allowances during an October trip to South Africa with Chakwera.  When contacted Monday, Kandodo refused to comment on the matter.