RESPONSE ON PRESIDENT DR LAZARUS CHAKWERA’S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS ON THE ACB DIRECTOR COMMISSION OF INQUIRY REPORT FINDINGS
For Media Release
The President national address this morning on the ACB arrest Commission of Inquiry report findings was a good opportunity to unpack issues surrounding the ACB Director arrest for the interest of fighting corruption in the country.
Much as the report came out with a number of controversial recommendations which angered Malawians but some of the steps taken by the President in addressing are worthy to be noted as a way forward.
The President firing of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is welcome and a move in the right direction. From the start the DPP has been a stumbling block to the work of ACB and all efforts in fighting corruption in the country. It is therefore the hope of every Malawian that the new DDP will not give priority to his personal egos at the expense of fighting corruption or promoting national interests.
On enhancing and promoting inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption, this is very important but the President would have given a clear time frame and milestones to address this challenge which has frustrated the work of ACB and the entire fight against corruption. Open ended Presidential directives has never and will never work hence the importance of clear timeline and milestones set for monitoring and accountability.
Lastly but not least the inquiry report failed short to find out who ordered the arrest of the ACB Director as this was the main interest of Malawians in view that the President openly admitted he was not aware. Questions then might come that is this because of the same lack of interagency cooperation or are some personalities being shielded?
Lastly the President must be applauded for still maintaining and having confidence and trust in the ACB Director Martha Chizuma. Firing her would have brought national anger and international donor concerns on whether the President and his Tonse Alliance government are serious in the fight against corruption. As it is very paramount that the ACB and all other agencies are given all the support to fight corruption in the country.
All in all, I believe the Presidential national address might have somehow partially helped to address some fears Malawians had on issues surrounding the arrest of the ACB Director and the entire fight against corruption in the country.
Undule Mwakasungula
Human Rights and Governance Expert
Cell: 0991 143 568
Wednesday, 18th January, 2023/Lilongwe/Malawi
