On 15th November, 2017, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) received a complaint alleging that the then ICT Manager for Electricity Supply Company of Malawi (ESCOM), Mr. David Tandwe did not declare interest and influenced the Systems Administrator to award a contract to ICT Networks, a company belonging to his brother, Mr. Lester Tandwe.
The ACB instituted investigations which established that Mr. David Tandwe failed to declare interest in the matter and instructed Mr. Greyson Chakhumata to split the proposed ESCOM’s ICT countrywide network into lots to circumvent the use of competitive bidding to allow
unqualified prospective suppliers to bid in part or whole and win the proposed contract.
On 24th November, 2020, the ACB arrested Mr. David Tandwe for failure to declare interest and splitting of procurement requirements contrary to Section 25D (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and Section 39 (2) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act, respectively.
He was taken to court where he was released on bail after satisfying the following conditions:
• Produced a cash bond of MK500,000.00
• Produced two sureties each bonded at MK250,000.00 cash
• Surrendered travel documents to Court
• Ordered to report at ACB once every fortnight on Fridays
• Ordered not to interfere with investigators or potential state witnesses.
The case goes to Court on 4th January, 2021 for directions.
EGRITA M. NDALA
PRINCIPAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
