Maputo, 29 Dec (AIM) – The Mozambican opposition parties, Renamo and the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), have demanded accountability in the scandal of the diversion by the National Social Welfare Institute (INAS) of 1.7 billion meticais (about 27 million US dollars, at the current exchange rate) that was intended to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
An audit by the Administrative Tribunal, the body responsible for checking the legality of public expenditure, showed that INAS expenditure of 1.7 billion meticais could not be justified.
The independent television station STV reported that the MDM wanted those responsible for the missing funds to be brought to account, while Renamo called for the sacking of anyone involved.
“There is an urgent need to hold responsible all those involved in this diversion of funds, and to explain where this money, taken from the public treasury, has gone”, said MDM spokesperson Ismael Nhacucue.
“Funds intended to support the victims of Covid-19 should not be used for the illicit enrichment of a national bourgeoisie, which is trying to loot the few resources that should be allocated to Mozambicans”, he said. “It is with great sadness that, once again, we are witnessing a financial scandal caused by the malicious management of the Frelimo Party”.
He repeated a longstanding MDM demand for the creation of an Accounts Tribunal to supervise all public expenditure, and open criminal proceedings when necessary.
Renamo spokesperson Jose Manteigas said “this reaffirms the denunciation we made in the past, because we asked the government how the funds allocated to deal with the problematic of Covid-19 were being managed. As always, we did not receive a satisfactory answer”.
“This is no surprise”, added Manteigas, “because the peculiar characteristic of this government is corruption”.
“The name of Mozambicans was used to seek funds that would allegedly save the lives of Mozambicans”, he said, “but the money was channeled for private purposes. This revolts us, and we want accountability. Those responsible damaged the country and damaged lives”.
(AIM)
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