Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (Congoma) board chairperson Voice Mhone has turned down his appointment to the National Integrity Committee (NIC) saying his plate is full.
Malawi President Joyce Banda on Monday appointed Mhone, one of his fierce critics in recent months, to the committee as a representative of the civil society.
Mhone confirmed in an interview on Tuesday that he would not be taking up the position as NIC member because he is already engaged in a number of activities.
Said Mhone: “I have a full-time job. I am chairperson of Congoma and Civil Society Grand Coalition. I also sit on two boards: Local Development Fund [LDF] and Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). I think that’s enough already.”
He said Congoma has already written government advising that Ronald Mtonga, its executive director, should be a replacement.
“After all, Mr Mtonga was in the previous committee and there was no problem. We think continuity is necessary,” said Mhone.
Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) spokesperson Arthur Chipenda on Tuesday said government is yet to receive Congoma’s letter.
In the statement announcing the new committee, OPC said the committee also comprises Chief Secretary to the Government Hawa Ndilowe representing the Executive, registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal Joseph Chigona, acting clerk of Parliament Roosevelt Gondwe, Matthews Chikankheni from the private sector and the Reverend Patrick Semphere representing the media.
Others are traditional leaders Paramount Chief Kyungu, Senior Chief Kalumbu and Traditional Authority Chikumbu. Evangelical Association of Malawi chairperson Francis Mkandawire and Muslim Association of Malawi chairperson Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director Judge Rezine Mzikamanda and Wezi Kayira, principal secretary in the OPC responsible for good governance are also in the committee.
According to Chapter 5 (5.1) of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy of 2008, NIC’s role is to promote institutionalism of the fight against corruption in government sectors.
However, the country is reeling from the Capital Hill cashgate scandal where billions of kwacha was looted from government coffers.
In 2011, former committee chairperson Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe complained that progress in implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (Nacs) remained slow due to inadequate funding.
He mentioned the challenges as including human and financial capacity within the ACB to roll out Nacs implementation, transfer people from one department to another.
