National Alliance Against Corruption (NAAC) and Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) have demanded a speedy process in appointing Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general.
The bureau’s DG office is not supposed to be vacant for more than six months, but the bureau has been operating with an acting DG Hillary Chilomba after Martha Chizuma’s contract expired in May 2024.
In an interview yesterday, NAAC chairperson Moses Mkandawire emphasised that the government should have identified a new DG before Chizuma’s contract expired.
He expressed worry with the delay to appoint the bureau’s chief, saying it was difficult for the bureau to fight corruption.
Mkandawire said someone in an acting position cannot carry out certain decisions, including going after the appointing authority as they work to secure the job.
“State institutions mandated on behalf of people to ensure accountability and transparency should be able to operate effectively and efficiently. So somebody has to listen to our concerns,” he said.
On his part, Csat executive director Willy Kambwandira also expressed worry over the absence of the bureau’s chief, saying it exposes the institution to abuse and vulnerability.
He said the replacement should have been done as soon as Chizuma left office.
Kambwandira also said someone in acting capacity cannot make certain strategic decisions and whatever they do is to appease the appointing authority.
“What we see are perhaps tactical delays to appoint the director general at the ACB. Government knew that they were not renewing the contract for the former DG and one would expect that they would have moved with speed to make sure that the position is filled,” he said.
Ministry of Justice spokesperson Frank Namangale said the ministry was waiting for the office of the Ombudsman to conclude investigations on the allegations of irregular and unprocedural shortlisting and interviewing of two candidates.
He said once the Ombudsman makes a determination, there will be movement on the matter.
“Things are as they were until the Ombudsman concludes the matter,” said Namangale.
The office of the Ombudsman started probing the matter following a complaint that two of the candidates—Chilomba and lawyer Oscar Taulo did not have the requisite qualification for the ACB director general position.
In an interview yesterday, Ombudsman Grace Malera said her office held an inquiry on December 16 2024 and all concerned parties, including the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders, provided both written and oral submissions.
“The determination will be out as soon as all the procedures in relation to the conduct of the matter are completed in line with the applicable laws as well as in compliance with the principles of due process,” she said.
Legal expert Justin Dzonzi recently faulted the reappointment of Chilomba as acting director general in view of Section 6B (8) of the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA), which requires that the acting DG should be a “suitably qualified person”.
