Being bolder to do better on corruption in Malawi: British High Commissioner’s views

On May 12, the British Prime Minister David Cameron hosted the first ever anti-corruption summit. The summit recognised that corruption is a global issue with no country immune or without responsibilities.

Michael Nevin, British High Commissioner to Malawi
Michael Nevin, British High Commissioner to Malawi

The Summit set out to galvanise international efforts to expose corruption, punish those involved and drive out a culture of corruption. Group of 20 countries in particular recognised the need to do more in their own backyards.

The summit made historic agreements, including increased transparency of beneficial owners of companies; sharing tax information to deter evasion; exposing lawyers, real estate agents and accountants who facilitate corruption; tracking down stolen assets; and launching a new Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre.

There was a strong recognition too of the importance of international cooperation, particularly helping developing countries in a co-ordinated effort.

Malawians are among the victims of corruption, fraud and theft. They can cite many examples—the corrupt theft of funds from government accounts, the theft of drugs, inflated or non-existent procurement contracts, ghost workers, dishonest claims by office-holders for rental refunds and bogus allowances claims by public servants.

“Well wishers” sometimes can sometimes be a misnomer for shady cartels out for mutual self-enrichment.

“State security” excuses are also sometimes used as a convenient cover for self-enrichment. In one case, the cost of transporting security equipment was so inflated it would have been cheaper to give each piece its own first class seat on an aeroplane!

No matter the method, the impact is the same on Malawians. Various percentages are quoted, but they all amount to significant losses from the Malawi public purse—money which could have supported self-development and reduced the need for aid.

The cancer of corruption has sadly spread since I was lasted posted here. Many of the governance indicators show a downward trend. Malawians complain they cannot get a service without hearing “zam’manja?”

Malawi risks heading down a dangerous road, as the worrying failure to bring to justice the murderers of Issa Njauju perhaps attests to.

There has been some progress. We should not underestimate the achievements of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the ACB in prosecuting those involved in “Cashgate”.

There are signs of long over-due tougher action against Malawian officials involved in fraud and theft. President Mutharika has been clear that he will take action against any of his officials and close advisers suspected of corruption.

While President Mutharika sets the tone and the resolve through his words and actions, it is not his responsibility alone. Officials, elected representatives, business owners, civil society, the international community and the public all need to play their part.

We need to be bolder on this agenda to reverse Malawi’s fortunes. Perhaps the following ten actions are worth considering?

  1. a genuine zero-tolerance approach that lowers the barfor firing officials and their advisers (e.g. through the civil service and parliamentary codes, a more robust judicial services commission) with greater emphasis one ethical behaviour expectations and performance;
  2. increasing  prevention by enforcing performance management systems and sanctions for not implementing audit recommendations;
  3. blending criminal and civil legal procedures in a more strategic approach to attacking those involved in corruption;
  4. transparent tendering of all government contracts, including of security equipment, with measures to prevent “insider trading” and conflicts of interest;
  5. greater investigative use of assets declarations and of “explanation of wealth” provisions in the Corrupt Practices Act, including assets overseas;
  6. blacklisting from any government contract those companies suspected of past or present improper conduct; and refusing to accede to their payment claims for alleged work done;
  7. providing adequate funding to and up-skilling of the investigating, prosecuting and judicial authorities and the Financial Intelligence Unit, while changing a culture which prevents much better coordination and collaboration among them and the Malawi Revenue Authority;
  8. strengthening and updating the Corrupt Practices and Anti-Money Laundering Acts, and passing an amended Political Parties Registration and Regulation Act;
  9. to avoid accusations of political interference, whether legitimate or not, strengthen institutional independence, of the ACB, the DPP and the Auditor-General in particular, taking them out of formal or informal executive management oversight (creating perhaps an equivalent of the UK’s independent Crown Prosecution Service) and checking executive powers of appointment and dismissal;
  10. providing the means and confidence for citizens, including through technology, to expose, report and monitor follow-up to corruption.

There is not one magic solution to boost Malawi’s development. But the strategic impact of measures to prevent fraud, theft and corruption would be significant.

We recognise in the UK that we need to be bolder to do better. And that we need to work together globally. Malawi can be bold too, as part of a greater national and international effort.

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Winston Msowoya
Winston Msowoya
7 years ago

Frankly,if the Western donor nations could insert stringent rules over their finances ,Malawi and other African nation’s could have stopped inflicting unprecedented economic corruption in their countries .The British High Commissioner’s Anti Corruption Summit,is by no means a catalyst for neutrorising uncontrolled and tragic corruption.So Mr.gonapamuhanya,the fact that the colonizer stole much of our resources are Malawi leaders obliged to steal public funds randomly?And if money stolen from Africa ends up in the West,where therefore,is the money stolen from Malawi ends up? No matter how many summits,the British High Commissioner would hold,corruption in Malawi is irreversible because it has spread… Read more »

Kenkkk
Kenkkk
7 years ago

I know you are being diplomatic but the biggest culprit here is Peter himself and his leadership. As many others have pointed out, he speaks only what he thinks the west or donors want to hear but no actual action on the ground. No action because he is himself heavily involved in the corruption. The analyst has hit the nail on Peter. He and his dpp gurus are the most corrupt and for that reason, he is watering down all tough bills which would have made Malawi more democratic and instilling more good governance. Why is he afraid? The next… Read more »

Bwande
Bwande
7 years ago

Here is some heartfelt advice coming from a donor nation representative. You can see the tone and ambassador Nevin seems to know very well Malawi’s root problems than we ourselves can imagine or ponder to resolve. Unfortunately, it is hitting some deaf ears at State House and capital hill. Sad

Jeany Mangame
Jeany Mangame
7 years ago

Not Good at all

CHEWA FEDERAL FRONT
CHEWA FEDERAL FRONT
7 years ago

Yes, Your Excellency, our president has indeed set the tone; but he must now lower that threshold/bar and begin mass sackings of those caught up in corruption or theft. Its gonna be brutal, ghastly even. It is estimated that over 30% of Malawi government financial resources are stolen annually (Fahad Assan et al, 2003), implying that if this problem were addressed the impact would be far-reaching. Putting politics aside, APM needs to get TOUGH, “mentally” (- a weird thing to say about a former “distinguished” professor of law), if he is gonna make a dent on corruption/theft. Sir, the last… Read more »

Jacob
Jacob
7 years ago

MALAWI WOULD NOT BE A STATE WITHOUT CORRUPTION MALAWI EXIST, BREATHE, LIVE BY AND DEPEND ON CORRUPTION FOREIGNERS MUST BE THE MOST CAREFUL AS YOU ARE A PRIME TARGET ATTN!… DO NOT INVEST YOUR MONEY IN OUR COUNTRY.. MALAWI IS RANKED ‘THE RISKIEST INVESTOR DESTINATION IN THE SADC’ OF AFRICA.. THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL NOT HELP YOU IN ANY DISPUTES.. WILL ALWAYS HELP THE LOCAL CITIZEN REGARDLESS OF THE DUSPUTE..MALAWIANS SUPPORT MALAWIANS NO MATTER!.. BOTSWANA, TANZANIA, ZAMBIA, ANGOLA, KENYA AND RWANDA ARE MUCH BETTER CHOICES ALSO MALAWI HAVE SOME HARSH LAWS SURROUNDING HUMAN RIGHTS!.. Mozambique and South Africa are much… Read more »

Che Wanimiliyoni
Che Wanimiliyoni
7 years ago

If govt allows nobody to seek a mere traditional chief para-services without a consultation fee (chabwalo) while on govt salary do you expect somebody to talk to well trained civil servants without consultation fees? Illegalise this premitive culture then you will see locals resisting palm-oiling govt officials for any service.

The Analyst
The Analyst
7 years ago

O……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..O “The message you have given us from the Lord is good.” – Isaiah 39:8 Sadly no one is listening or wants to listen, . . . coz they are so deeply involved in this evil you now speak against, that they have chosen to close their ears. The most unfortunate part is that even those who are expected to help curb the vice, are involved in it. ………………………………………………………………………… Rightly observed that APM has set the right tone againt corruption . . . . . . but a right tone that’s not complemented with right and consistent action is, in… Read more »

Gonapamuhanya
Gonapamuhanya
7 years ago

One Nigerian president told Cameron that money stolen in Africa ends up in the west. What does the highly esteemed ambassador from UK say? Who have stolen much of our resources starting from the precolonial era? Who is a bigger thief?

therere
therere
7 years ago

what is the connection there Ben?

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