OXFAM
Oxfam in Malawi Country Director John Makina
said this on the arrest of an Oxfam South Africa
employee found in possession of precious stones at
Kamuzu International Airport:
“Oxfam International and Oxfam in Malawi would
like to distance itself from the illegal possession of
precious stones (reserved minerals) by Ms Lerato
Muhadi Motaung, who was arrested by Police at
Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on Wednesday,
12th April, 2017.
Ms Motaung is a South African and an employee
of Oxfam South Africa based in Johannesburg.
She was here for a training on Participatory Action
Research, organised by Oxfam and was expected
to leave the country on 12th April, 2017 when KIA
authorities arrested her for being foundin procession
of the precious stones.
Oxfam understands that the authorities valued
the stones found in possession of Ms. Motaung at
twenty-thousand kwacha.
On Thursday, 13th April, 2017, Ms. Motaung
appeared before the court in Lilongwe. She
answered to two charges; being foundin possession
of reserved minerals and attempting to export them
contrary to Section 99 (1) (a) (i) and Section 119 (2)
of Minerals and Mines Act respectively - to which
she pleaded guilty. The court fined Ms Motaung
fifty-thousand Kwacha and she paid the fine and
the court has since set her free. Ms Motaung is
expected to depart the country on Friday, 14th
April, 2017.
Ms. Motaung did this act in her own personal
capacity.
As an organization, Oxfam does not in any way
condone any illegal or criminal acts. It is against
this backdrop that following Ms Motaung's arrest,
Oxfam let the law run its course, allowing authorities
to do their work without any interference so that
justice prevails.”
For further details, please contact Oxfam in Malawi
Country Director through jmakina@oxfam.org.uk or
00265 999 835 03
STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY PETER MUTHARIKA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE OPENING OF THE 3RD MEETING IN THE 47TH SESSION OF PARLIAMENT AND 2018/2019 BUDGET MEETING LILONGWE