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REPUBLIC OF MALAWI

NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

DELAYS IN PUBLICATION OF THE FORENSIC AUDIT REPORT,

LILONGWE: 18TH FEBRUARY 2014-The Office of the Auditor General

announces a further delay in the finalization and publication of the

Forensic Audit Report which should have been ready on Tuesday,

18th February 2014.

The delay is as a result of the need to ensure that the Forensic Audit

Report meets International Standards on Auditing as promulgated in

the International Standards on Supreme Auditing Institutions (ISSAIs)

enforced by the International Organization of Supreme Audit

Institutions (INTOSAI) of which Malawi National Audit Office is a

member. Among the requirements is that the Audit Report should

provide adequate clarity to any reader without requiring extra

explanation.

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The Auditor General received the draft Forensic Audit Report from

the International Forensic Auditors in the evening of 14th February

2014 for his review and comments.

The Auditor General’s observations and comments have since been

referred to the Forensic Auditors who arrived in Malawi on Monday,

17th February 2014 to finalize the Report for quality improvements.

Once the Forensic Audit Report has been finalized by the Forensic

Auditors, it will be re-submitted to the Auditor General for necessary

action, including onward transmission to the Minister of Finance who

will publish the Report through submission to Parliament, among

others.

The relevant Malawi Government Authorities have been informed of

the delay in the finalization and publication of the Forensic Audit

Report and appreciate the efforts being made by the International

Forensic Auditors and the Auditor General who are working tirelessly

to finalize the Report in its highest standards required.

It is in this regard that the Auditor General’s Office commends

Malawi Authorities for their understanding of the delay at this critical

hour that the country is anxiously looking forward to the findings of

the Audit Report on the looting of the public resources and the way

forward to improve Public Finance Management with the objective

of deterring similar occurrences in the future.

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The Auditor General’s Office, therefore, seeks the public’s

understanding and undertakes to ensure timely publication of the

Report as soon as it is finalized by the International Forensic Auditors.

Finally, the Office of the Auditor General thanks all those who have

supported the preparation of the Forensic Audit Report in various

ways, including providing information needed during the process of

preparing it.

For more information contact

Mr. Thomas Chafunya

Corporate Communications Officer

National Audit Office Malawi

P.O Box 30045

Lilongwe

Cell: +265999857777