Corruption among MPs, ministers worries ACB
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has decried corruption among members of Parliament (MPs) and Cabinet ministers, urging them to avoid temptations to engage in bribery.
Speaking at Parliament Building in Lilongwe yesterday during commemoration of the Malawi Parliament Anti-corruption Day, ACB director-general Martha Chizuma observed that some MPs are involved in corruption, especially in the administration and procurement process for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) contracts.
She said the graft-busting agency has received several complaints involving legislators and Cabinet ministers.
“This only shows that some members of Parliament and some Cabinet ministers have in some cases been the main culprits in corruption issues or have been enablers and facilitators of the same,” said Chizuma.
She said it is important for MPs to get sensitised to corruption issues and constantly check their conduct, adding that MPs should set the tone and walk the talk in the fight against corruption.
B u t C h i z u m a commended Parliament for committing to develop and implement a code of conduct, saying the initiative is a long overdue corruption prevention instrument and ACB is looking forward to its speedy development and implementation.
She also hailed the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament for its passion in the fight against corruption, describing it as a game-changer.
Committee chairperson Peter Dimba said everyone in the country needs to take part in the fight against corruption.
Mal awi El e c tor a l Commission chairperson Chifundo Kachale, who
was the keynote speaker during the function held under the theme ‘Resetting the nation’s moral tone’, called on MPs to ensure that they serve Malawians all the time.
He said Malawians count on the legislators to promote good governance.
“Our fellow Malawians are counting on us, let us not let them down,” said Kachale, who is also a judge of the High Court of Malawi.
Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara said Parliament is committed to the fight against corruption.
She said: “You need to take us as advocates, as ambassadors for corruption. We are committed. When we get back to our constituents we spread the message.”
Some of corruption cases involving MPs have been investigated to avoid some legislators have been prosecuted while others have convicted.
In 2018, ACB arrested former Zomba Malosa MP Anderson Undani who was later sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for abuse of CDF.
During the same year, ACB arrested Mzimba Hora MP Christopher Mzomera Ngwira, also for CDF. He was prosecuted and sentenced to four years imprisonment.
The ACB also won a case against former minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Uladi Mussa who fraudulently issued citizenship and work permits to foreigners. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Former minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe told Parliament in 2017 that at least 20 MPs were suspected of mismanaging CDF meant for projects at grass roots level and risked arrest and prosecution.
A special audit report issued by the Central Internal Audit Unit, dated June 15 2017, showed that the 20 MPs were from 14 councils, namely Karonga, Chitipa, Nkhotakota, M’Mbelwa, Lilongwe, Dowa, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Lilongwe City, Nsanje, Chikwawa and Neno. The MPs are yet to be prosecuted.
