Tabe Bessong Rejects Claims of Weekly 15 Million Customs Payment

The Southwest Manyu Cocoa Farmers’ Cooperative is now pushing back against claims that its President, Chief Tabe Bessong, paid millions of Franc CFA every week to customs authorities.
The Cooperation describes the claims as false and says they do not reflect any transaction authorized, recorded or carried out by the institution. This feedback comes amid reports and social media publications alleging that Chief Tabe Bessong paid 15 Million Frs CFA weekly to the southwest customs boss, with other versions of the claim putting the alleged payments at 38 and 70 Million Frs CFA.

In a press release issued by the office of the SMCFC, the institution said it had taken note of the publications and wanted to set the record straight.

According to the statement, neither the cooperative nor its officials had at any point, witnessed, authorized, documented transaction in any form allegedly carried out by the President with the General of customs.

Chief Tabe Bessong on the other hand presents the claims as fake news and an attempt to ruin his reputation.

In this regard, the Cooperation has issued a caution in the handling of the matter and says the appropriate authorities have been informed. It has also warned that legal measures may be pursued against anyone found responsible for publishing and spreading what is considered defamatory .