Malawi govt suspends 60 ministry of health workers over allowances, fuel abuse

Government has suspended 63 ministry of health workers, including the director of human resource, the director of finance and two chief accountants to pave way for a thorough audit investigation over unjustified withdrawal of allowances and fuel abuse. [caption id="attachment_97341" align="alignright" width="316"] Ministry of Health spokesman, Chikumbe: 60 suspended for abuse[/caption] Sources at Capital Hill, the seat of government in Lilongwe, others who have been suspended also include drivers. Adrian Chikumbe, spokesperson for the ministry of health confirmed the suspension of the officers. "I wouldn't say the government has suspended them, they have been told to go on forced leave," said Chikumbe. He was however reluctant to confirm that 63 have been suspended, saying more than 10 including the senior officers. Chikumbe could not say how much money went into the drain through the dubious allowances and fuel abuse, saying everything would be known after private auditors, who have been hired by government to investigate the financial scam, will finish their job. He could not say when they will finish their investigations.