ACB stops move to relocate whistleblower

 The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ABC) has stopped Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) from relocating a whistleblower and State witness to Rumphi District.

In a statement yesterday, ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala said the order was made in view of reports of alleged victimisation of the whistleblower by MAP general manager Alex Dzinkambani and administration officer Gloria Kanu who were charged under the Corrupt Practices Act in May 2022 and the case is at prosecution stage.

She said: “The restriction notice has been issued to allow the case which the two are answering in court, to be concluded. Following the restriction notice, MAP is restricted from continuing with the planned relocation until the bureau has lifted the restriction notice.”

Ndala further said on August 28, ACB arrested Dzinkambani and Kanu for allegedly victimising the whistle blower who had further informed the bureau of alleged conversion of money belonging to MAP as security for their court bail and payment to the legal firm representing them.

She said the victimisation was being done, by among others, relocating the said whistleblower to Rumphi.

Meanwhile, the bureau has sourced some funds and asked the Special Law Commission to kick-start the process of developing a new legislation to protect whistleblowers.

Centre for Social Transparency and Accountability executive director Willy Kambwandira said the law will create room for whistleblowers to provide information without fear of any threats and attacks as is currently the case.

Currently, Malawi does not have a stand-alone legislation for the protection of whistleblowers.

However, in some legislation, including the Corrupt Practices Act, there are provisions of whistleblowers protection, but the provisions are not strong enough to protect whistleblowers as fines and sentences provided are lenient.