ACB urges CSOs to expose corruption culprits
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has called on civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country to investigate corruption and name and shame people involved in such malpractices.
Speaking during dissemination of the national anti-corruption strategy organised by Youth and Society (YAS) in Mzuzu on Tuesday, ACB senior public education officer Edward Kamvabingu said CSOs have a crucial role to play in fighting corruption.
He encouraged them to investigate corruption as well as name and shame all those involved in corruption to discourage others from engaging in corruption.
Said Kamvabingu: “CSOs have a better advantage in fighting corruption as their mandate is broad. Corruption fight needs a multi-sectoral approach and CSOs should be seriously engaged.
“If we do that, we will fight corruption and reach a level that other countries have achieved in ensuring a corruption free society.”
He also called on CSOs to be united in the cause, saying working in isolation affects the voice of the CSOs.
Kamvabingu further called on the media to help expose corruption through investigative stories that can help ACB pounce on the people involved.
Speaking on behalf of CSOs, YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka said there is need for CSOs and the media to be protected from threats and attacks by corruption suspects.
He said most people involved in corruption are powerful people and ruthless, hence the need for a proper strategy to protect whistle blowers and others engaged in the fight against corruption.
Said Kajoloweka: “If nobody is safe, nobody is willing to speak. There is need to protect people fighting corruption. Lives of people are at risk.”
The CSOs also called for establishment of special courts to speed up corruption-related cases which he observed take long to conclude.
ACB senior prevention officer Katoto Mtambo said establishment of the special court is one of the recommendations made in the strategy, but could not say if it will be established.
He said ACB is also training magistrates in the country to build their capacity to handle corruption cases.
