The Office of the Ombudsman has opened an investigation into allegations of irregular and unprocedural shortlisting and interviewing of two candidates, including Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) deputy director general Hillary Chilomba for the top job.
The other candidate is lawyer Oscar Taulo, according to the complaint.
The complainants argue that the two do not have the requisite qualification for the post of ACB director general as per the advert.
In an interview on Thursday, Ombudsman Grace Malera confirmed receiving the complaint and serving a notice of investigation on the allegations to the Ministry of Justice which is handling the recruitment process.
She said: “We confirm receipt of the complaint and we have since filed a notice of investigations to the Solicitor General. We are expecting responses to issues we have raised.”
In a notice of investigations to the Solicitor General, the Ombudsman is seeking answers to the allegations within seven days or before December 5 2024.
The Ministry of Justice has been asked to provide a copy of the advertisement for the job and confirm whether Taulo and Chilomba submitted applications for the position.
The Ombudman is further demanding copies of the respective curriculum vitae submitted along with the applications as well as confirmation on whether or not the two were shortlisted for interviews.
Interviews for the post were conducted last week in Lilongwe and, according to the complaint, the two were among those interviewed for the position.
Ministry of Justice spokesperson Frank Namangale on Thursday confirmed receiving the notice.
He said: “Yes, we have received the notice of investigation from the Office of the Ombudsman and have duly provided all the requested information.”
Section 6 of the amended Corrupt Practices Act provides that in the event of a vacancy government is supposed to advertise the position and a panel of seven people from diverse sectors shortlist and interview the candidates.
Thereafter names of two to three successful candidates would be forwarded to the President to appoint one who would also be subjected to another interview by the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament.
The immediate past director general Martha Chizuma was the first to be appointed through this new rigorous process.
