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| Sports |
| Anti-corruption body probing Fam’s boss,Anti-corruption body probing Fam’s boss |
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by
Leonard Sharra,Leonard Sharra, 07 January 2004
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16:44:44
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Will there be any breathing space for Football Association of Malawi (Fam) president Sameer Suleman? As Sports Council is piling pressure on the new Fam boss and four of his lieutenants to leave office, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched investigations into allegations that Suleman offered K500s (about $5) to some affiliates to influence them vote for him during the recent Fam elections.
ACB Director Justice Michael Mtegha confirmed on Wednesday that the bureau had started probing into Suleman’s issue.
“Yes, we have started the investigations …(but) I don’t know how far we have gone because I have been out in the field and have not been briefed by the officers handling the investigations,” said Mtegha.”
Suleman, however, said he was not aware that he was under the ACB’s probe.
“I don’t know anything. I haven’t been summoned nor asked. I am readily available and when they come to me, I will answer them,” said Suleman,” who did not want to talk much on the issue.
According to sources in the Central Region, a number of football officials have already been called in to testify by the ACB.
The Fam president is alleged to have offered K500s to some members from Fam central region affiliates after he had drove to Lilongwe with another Fam member Raphael Humba, who campaigned for the removal of a close in the Fam hand book which says aspirants for Fam executive positions should posses Malawi Schools Certificate of Education, (MSCE) or its equivalent.
While confirming that he met the affiliates, Suleman denied offering them with any bribes. He said he only assisted those, who had asked for transport money from him.
But some of the members present, including Malawi Football Coaches Association, (MFCA) general secretary Peterkins Kayira told Nation Online that Suleman offered the money out of his own will.
The ACB investigations have come fast on the heels of another issue involving MSCE certificates, which has seen Council asking Suleman, his two deputies Anderson Zimba and Steve Msambila and executive members Peter Chavula and Humba to vacate Fam, having failed to produce the certificates.
Meanwhile, reports indicate the testimonial that Suleman presented during the Mzuzu Extra Ordinary General Meeting belonged to his brother Gaffar.
But Suleman, who is insisting that he holds the Form Four certificate, dismissed the reports, saying the name Gaffar appears on the testimonial because it is his father’s name.
“I am with Humba right now, can he read for you what is on my testimonial.”
According to what Humba read, the testimonial bore the name Sameer Gaffar Suleman and was obtained from Central High School on 14.08.94.
Should it be established that Suleman presented his brother’s certificate, he risks answering a charge of impersonation, according to Law Society of Malawi spokesman Charles Mhango.,Will there be any breathing space for Football Association of Malawi (Fam) president Sameer Suleman? As Sports Council is piling pressure on the new Fam boss and four of his lieutenants to leave office, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched investigations into allegations that Suleman offered K500s (about $5) to some affiliates to influence them vote for him during the recent Fam elections.
ACB Director Justice Michael Mtegha confirmed on Wednesday that the bureau had started probing into Suleman’s issue.
“Yes, we have started the investigations …(but) I don’t know how far we have gone because I have been out in the field and have not been briefed by the officers handling the investigations,” said Mtegha.”
Suleman, however, said he was not aware that he was under the ACB’s probe.
“I don’t know anything. I haven’t been summoned nor asked. I am readily available and when they come to me, I will answer them,” said Suleman,” who did not want to talk much on the issue.
According to sources in the Central Region, a number of football officials have already been called in to testify by the ACB.
The Fam president is alleged to have offered K500s to some members from Fam central region affiliates after he had drove to Lilongwe with another Fam member Raphael Humba, who campaigned for the removal of a close in the Fam hand book which says aspirants for Fam executive positions should posses Malawi Schools Certificate of Education, (MSCE) or its equivalent.
While confirming that he met the affiliates, Suleman denied offering them with any bribes. He said he only assisted those, who had asked for transport money from him.
But some of the members present, including Malawi Football Coaches Association, (MFCA) general secretary Peterkins Kayira told Nation Online that Suleman offered the money out of his own will.
The ACB investigations have come fast on the heels of another issue involving MSCE certificates, which has seen Council asking Suleman, his two deputies Anderson Zimba and Steve Msambila and executive members Peter Chavula and Humba to vacate Fam, having failed to produce the certificates.
Meanwhile, reports indicate the testimonial that Suleman presented during the Mzuzu Extra Ordinary General Meeting belonged to his brother Gaffar.
But Suleman, who is insisting that he holds the Form Four certificate, dismissed the reports, saying the name Gaffar appears on the testimonial because it is his father’s name.
“I am with Humba right now, can he read for you what is on my testimonial.”
According to what Humba read, the testimonial bore the name Sameer Gaffar Suleman and was obtained from Central High School on 14.08.94.
Should it be established that Suleman presented his brother’s certificate, he risks answering a charge of impersonation, according to Law Society of Malawi spokesman Charles Mhango. |
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