Analysts trash Chizuma inquiry
With the poor rating of previous inquiries in mind, politicians and commentators have trashed the inquiry into the arrest of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma as a waste of time and resources.
But speaking when swearing-in members of the commission of inquiry at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Saturday, President Lazarus Chakwera justified his decision to institute the inquest, saying it will unravel the truth on the arrest of the ACB boss.
He said: “I have seen this course of action as necessary because on every matter of public interest in this country, establishing the truth is becoming more and more difficult for several reasons.
“In this country, truth is often obscured by public outrage and while I share the public’s sense of outrage at the disturbing news we woke up to that morning, I am also aware that outrage makes vulnerable distortions to reality.”
The President said he set up the commission so that the truth is not obscured by political sensationalism, claiming “some politically motivated people” are not after knowing facts but scoring political points.
While admitting that the commission comprises people of integrity, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa trashed its usefulness.
He said: “There was no need for a commission of inquiry. The President should just put things in order. By now, he already has details about Chizuma’s arrest.
“We, however, take solace that he has appointed men and women of integrity.”
Youth and Society executive director Charles Kajoloweka shared Nankhumwa’s sentiments, saying the Executive wants to use the inquiry to evade accountability.
He said: “The other aspect to reflect on is whether the President is going to act on the inquiry’s report with the precedence of having presidents who sit on important reports.
“A lot of inquiries have been conducted, but not clearly concluded. So, these doubts and concerns people are raising about this inquiry.”
Church and Society of the Livingstonia Synod executive director Moses Mkandawire also said he had no doubts about the credibility of the commission’s members.
He, however, had reservations if the President was ready to implement the commission’s recommendations.
He said: “The problem we have is the utilisation of such reports. We have a history in this country that when such processes take place, we fail to implement the recommendations.
“So, the findings of this inquiry should be made public
because it may help to enhance public trust and confidence.”
Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet Janet Banda announced in a statement on Saturday that Chakwera has appointed retired Justice of Appeal Edward Twea to lead the commission expected to finalise its work in 14 working days from the date of its swearing-in.
Reads part of the statement: “The commission is, therefore, inviting members of the general public who may have any relevant information and knowledge pertaining to the arrest of the director general of the ACB to volunteer such information and contact the commission.”
Other members are former Inspector General of Police Lot Dzonzi, former Ombudsman Enoch Chibwana, Public Affairs Committee chairperson Monsignor Patrick Thawale, Senior Chief Tengani and Oxfam Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa.
Others are Catholic University of Malawi dean of law John Gift-Mwakhwawa, the Reverend Elsie Tembo, lawyer Maureen Kachingwe, University of Malawi law lecturer Kassim Mdala Amuli, Frank Kalowafumbi and Innocencia Chilombo.
Police arrested Chizuma around 4am on December 6 following a complaint lodged by suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Steven Kayuni who alleged that he was injured by allegations the graft-busting agency’s head made in a leaked audio in January.
The arrest attracted condemnation both locally and internationally with Malawi’s major donors expressing their concerns especially in the manner about the way the arrest was conducted.
Chizuma was released on police bail and charged with making use of speech capable of prejudicing a person against a party to judicial proceedings contrary to Section 113 (1) (a) of the Penal Code.
However, the charges against her were unconditionally dropped.
The inquiries which were instituted but whose results have not yielded anything tangible include that into Robert Chasowa murder, attacks on people with albinism, the events surrounding the July 20-21 2011 demonstrations and the sudden death of president Bingu wa Mutharika. n
NATION
