A grouping of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are asking for a detailed explanation of contracts worth K9.7 billion, that were (mostly) awarded to one contractor.

The contracts’ tendering processes raise the brows of the Malawi Law Society, Youth and Society, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and the CCAP Church. The named organizations, under an umbrella called United Against Serious and Organized Crimes, have asked for a face to face with the Inspector General of Police, Rodney Jose.

The procurement in question includes the contract for police cloth, valued at almost K4.4 billion, equipment valued at K1.2 billion, flags and uniform accessories worth almost 864 million, caps, hats and berets worth K672.6 million million and industrial machines worth K109 million.

The CSOs have called for a meeting with the Inspector General in a letter that has been endorsed by Church and Executive Director Moses Mkandawire. The procurement is said to be a violation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act (2016), which has been severely violated since it was passed; a board to enforce the act was appointed in March this year.