CSOs divided over Chizuma saga
As the saga surrounding the interdiction of Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma rages, a divided opinion has ensued among CSOs in the country on how government is handling the matter.
While some civil society organisations (CSOs)who met Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda in Lilongwe yesterday wondered why government was spending its energy on prosecuting Chizuma, others held a briefing in Mzuzu, asking President Lazarus Chakwera to fire her.
Charles Kajoloweka, one of the 10 CSOs leaders who met Nyirenda said they engaged the government legal adviser on the “questionable interdiction and hiring of private lawyers” to fight a case against Chizuma.
He said: “There is need for government’s restraint from intrusive political interference in the operations of law enforcement agencies and restoration of stakeholder’s confidence in the fight against corruption.
“It must stop this wave of intimidation that we have seen directed at Chizuma. We need government to demonstrate decisive leadership in the fight against corruption.”
The CSOs represented were Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Human Rights Defenders Coalition, National Advocacy Platform, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency.
Others are the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, the NGO-GCN, Women Manifesto, Civil Society Coalition on Accountability and Transparency, and Youth and Society.
However, other CSOs calling themselves Young Human Rights Defenders Network led by Mervin Nxumayo, have blamed the State for the protracted issue.
During a media briefing in Mzuzu yesterday, Nxumayo said while they appreciate that development partners have set targets and conditions for supporting government, there was need to balance that with the rule of law.
He said Chizuma’s pardon was purely administrative as the President sought to allow her continue with her work, but did not bar others from seeking legal redress which has led to the current situation.
Nxumayo said: “Having committed a criminal offence and despite the presidential pardon, Capital Hill should have proceeded to relieve the ACB boss for failing to promote the Malawian interest and also failing to uphold the decorum required of her office.
“We appeal to the President [Lazarus Chakwera] to simply effect the rules that govern the removal of the ACB director and arrange to recruit a new director who will pick up the issues from where the current office holder left them.”
Chizuma is facing criminal defamation charges over a viral audio of January 2022 in which she divulged details of an investigation to a third party.
