Agencies investigating and prosecuting suspects in the cashgate scandal have warned some civil society organisations (CSOs) against issuing deadlines on conclusion of cases.
In separate interviews this week, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Malawi Police Service (MPS) said the CSOs’ demands are unrealistic and amount to interference in investigations into the plunder.
Last week, following a meeting they had on November 4 2013, 14 CSOs operating under the Grand Coalition agreed that if by November 30 2013 the Joyce Banda administration does not investigate and prosecute culprits of suspicious transactions that occurred between July and September 2013, they would stage demonstrations, facilitate work boycott across the public service and push for regime change.
They also want government to conclude, by June 2014, all major fraud and corruption cases, some of which go back a decade to the Bakili Muluzi administration.
But DPP Bruno Kalemba said the institutions dealing with the issue are regulated by legal instruments that govern issues such as how to conduct criminal prosecution.
“Prosecution of criminal suspects in Malawi is governed by laws with the Republic of Malawi Constitution at its apex. These laws have built-in time-bound stages and requirements that all concerned must adhere to,” said Kalemba.
ACB spokesperson Egritta Ndala said the body does not work on demands from any quarter, but operates to fulfil its mandate stipulated in the Corrupt Practices Act.
“ACB prioritised the investigations into the Capital Hill case right from the beginning because it is a case of national importance. The bureau is doing all it can to ensure that the investigation is concluded as soon as possible.
“The bureau has already taken to court some of those people suspected to have been involved in the case where there is evidence of suspected wrongdoing,” said Ndala.
Police spokesperson Rhodah Manjolo said while police appreciate the sense of urgency needed in the matter, they will not do a hurried job as that could compromise the quality of evidence.
“We have investigation teams that are dedicated fully to this task. It is a delicate investigation that calls for thorough gathering and analysis of evidence. At the end of the day, all of us are interested in quality evidence, right people being arrested and successful prosecutions,” said Manjolo.
But chairperson of the Council for Non-governmental Organisations (Congoma), Voice Mhone, argued that government has the capacity to investigate the looting within the specified period.
“It should not be difficult because the documentation is fresh. We are talking of information that is in the current budget. As regard the other medium and long-term action, government can do it from January to June. We have narrowed it down in such a way that government should be able to investigate all the cases,” said Mhone.
