CSOs confront probe, prosecution agencies
The Civil Society Forum for Democracy and Development (CFDD) has described as “disheartening and sickening” the laxity by the country’s investigation and prosecution authorities to bring to book suspected corrupt public officers.
Briefing The Nation on its mission, the forum said it had noted that some leaders have developed greed which is mostly satisfied through corruption, misuse and abuse of public resources being fuelled by the spirit of “impunity, sacred cows and untouchables”.
The forum has since petitioned the director general of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Inspector General (IG) of Malawi Police Service (MPS) demanding action on certain issues within 21 days or resign.
Among others, the forum has demanded the DPP, ACB and police to institute a probe into alleged dubious sale of the presidential jet and to use constitutional provisions to recall former president Joyce Banda following her alleged link to Cashgate—the plunder of public resources at Capital Hill by some public servants and private sector players.
The forum has also demanded the bodies to investigate the source of wealth for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera.
In a statement, the CSOs allege that the agencies have “efficiently and effectively failed to curb the vice” and also proven their support
to it by not acting on whistle blowers’ utterances.
“This is total sacrilege to the spirit of precedence and deterrence, and the principle of accountability… the tendency is attributable to the current socio-economic turmoil dogging Malawi,” reads the statement signed by national chairperson Harry Mikuwa and national secretary Kingsley Mabalani.
ACB director general Lucas Kondowe was not available when contacted to comment on the accusations against his institution, but the bureau’s spokesperson, Egrita Ndala, said she was not aware of the issue; hence, she could not comment.
She said: “The director has not been in office. Maybe it was delivered directly to him. So, I can’t comment on it.”
On his part, Police IG Lexten Kachama referred The Nation to national police spokesperson James Kadadzera who did not pick up his phone.
However, Kachama said: “So far, I don’t have any knowledge about that petition.”
DPP Mary Kachale demanded a questionnaire to be forwarded to Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Apoche Itimu who had not responded as we went to press.
In an interview, Mikuwa said upon expiry of their 21-day ultimatum, they would mobilise patriotic citizens for an unspecified action.
