UTM Party vehicles purchase probe drags
Fourteen months after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) indicated it was screening two complaints pertaining to the alleged purchase of 44 UTM Party vehicles, investigations are yet to conclude.
ACB director general Martha Chizuma said this in a brief written response on Monday when The Nation followed up on the status of the probe.
But she did not explain the steps taken since the investigations began in May 2022, a question we put out to the ACB boss.
Said Chizuma: “We are still investigating. After we finish, we shall be able to inform the nation.”
The move by the ACB to investigate the purchase of the vehicles was compelled by two complaints from Gosten Chinsewu who questioned the source of funding for the 44 new vehicles he claimed the party acquired through Khwesi Msusa.
Msusa is a contractor and an alleged sympathiser of UTM Party.
ACB’s probe also came against the background of calls for a broader investigation into an alleged procurement of 200 vehicles by the party.
The party, however, confirmed that it bought just 11 vehicles for its legislators.
Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira in a separate interview yesterday called on the ACB to expedite its investigations on the matter.
While describing the delays as worrisome, he said further delays have the potential of eroding public trust and confidence in the bureau.
Said Kambwandira: “The ACB must be aware of the sensitivities of the public on this matter and must take steps towards avoiding even the tiniest shred of doubt as regards its independence.”
He said the ACB must update Malawians on the status of the investigations.
Kambwandira said any silence on the matter may raise speculation that the ACB rushed on the matter.
Besides, he said the ACB must be aware that the public expectations on the matter are yet to be met and that this is sending wrong signals to the public.
Both Msusa and UTM Party immediate past spokesperson Frank Mwenifumbo on numerous occasions reiterated that since the matter is with the ACB, they would not comment further.
