Catholic Commission attacks Malawi govt on corruption: Dares Mutharika to end economic suffering of citizens

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has launched a scathing attack on government over worsening corruption and is persuading Malawians to press the Peter Mutharika administration to provide practical solutions to issues affecting their lives.

An advocacy arm of the Episcople Conference of Malawi which is an influential  organ of the Catholic Church,  CCJP on Thursday released a strong worded document, titled ‘Nation in Search of Redemption,’ petitioning the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government, to address social, economic and political challenges which the country is experiencing.

CCJP argues Malawi continues to draw global attention for all the wrong reasons and called upon authorities and the general citizenry, to critically examine the country’s state of affairs and “be part of the solution.”

The Catholic Commission among others has accused Mutharika’s administration of its failure to deal with worsening corruption.

The Catholic arm commended the bold step taken by the Treasury department in ensuring that all government accounts are properly reconciled in line with public expenditure management control before subsequent disbursements are made.

“It is only a robust public finance management system that will bring sanity and credibility in our fiscal regime. Irrespective of some hitches encountered with the on-going public finance management reforms, we, implore upon the authorities to continue on this path. We believe that this is the surest way of restoring confidence from Malawi’s bilateral partners and the general citizenry, ” reads the statement in part.

CCJP has accused Anti Corruptoon Bureau (ACB) of selective justice and compromised war on corruption, saying  ACBs operational independence continues to be put into question.

ACB has been persuaded B to investigate and prosecute all cases objectively and fairy other than the status quo where those who belong to the ruling elite are shielded.

“Owing to the fact that ACB is run on taxpayers money, CCJP calls upon ACB to desist from selective criminal prosecutions as these may taint the little gains that have been registered in the fight against corruption,” CCJP said.

It asked for speedy action on all outstanding cases so that they should reach logical conclusion.

CCJP says those in authority too should demonstrate loyalty to Malawi by not shielding anybody suspected of involvement in any corrupt syndicate.

“We call upon Malawians to join hands in fighting the Mafia type of corrupt syndicates who use unorthodox ways and means to silence those championing the war on corruption,” the statement reads.

The Catholic body has since called on the citizenry to work up and demand their rights from their leaders.

“We call upon all citizens to actively take part in decision making process and not to accept any form of mediocrity from those entrusted to run the affairs of our country at all levels. We believe that as citizens of this great nation we will be our own unmaking if we fail to exercise our rightful role in our hard won democratic dispensation by making our voices heard in matters of national interest,” CCJP said.

The CCJP among other issues also expressed concern on continued harassment of persons with albinism.

“It is disheartening to note that while some perpetrators have been apprehended and in some cases successfully prosecuted, no single market has been established to date. This raises serious fears and questions about our ability as a nation to collectively fight the vice. Our reputation as a nation has been heavily battered globally due to our failure to end the vice,” the CCJP noted.

They also condemned the plunder of taxpayers money in district councils as widely reported in the local media.

“While the infamous cash-gate saga was largely reported at Capital Hill, it is sad to note that our local councils have also become new plunder havens. Locally generated resources in councils have become a new area of plunder,” reads the statement.

Meanwhile, CCJP has urged Civil Society Organisations, media, faith community and the public to be active in demanding accountability from officials by demanding explanations, reporting irregularities, exposing and whistle-blowing all credible cases of financial mismanagement.

Malawi  is facing growing levels of poverty, desperation, hunger and shrinking public service delivery that are untimely and compromise on quality.

CCJP’s national secretary Marti Chiphwanya said the statement has been released following their periodic Justice and Peace Secretaries meeting which took place in Mangochi in line with  “mandate of ensuring Gods reign of Justice and Peace on earth through the promotion of transparency, accountability, good governance and rule of law.”

Apart from Chiphwanya, other signatories to the communiqué include Arnold Msimuko  Diocesan Secretary for  Mzuzu,  Bruno Banda Diocesan Secretary for Mangochi, Noel Kondwani Mtonzathe   Archdiocesan Secretary, Lilon Kampango the Archdiocesan Secreart tBlantyre and Lewis Msiyadungu  another Diocesan Secretary.

Other signatories include Chikwawa Diocese Secretary Louis Nkhata  while Karonga, Dedza, and Zomba Dioceses have also appended their signatures on the petition.

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