Justice Minister Tembebu calls for joint efforts in corruption fight

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu has called for joint efforts in the fight against corruption in the country.

Tembenu says corruption fights needs all stakeholders 

Tembenu said this Thursday in Lilongwe at a start of a two day long National Anti- Corruption Conference.

He said government alone cannot stamp out corruption in the country hence the need for the involvement of all stakeholders to guard against the malpractice.

The Minister explained that the National conference has been organized to seek views from all stakeholders on how corruption can be eradicated.

The Minister said Conference; the first of its kind in the country symbolizes government’s commitment to ensuring that there is a corruption free society.

“We called for this conference so that we add up to those many voices that have been talking and been calling for action regarding the evil and vice called corruption,” Tembenu said.

He said his ministry has been carrying out consultations on how the country can fight corruption and this afford an opportunity for stakeholders to voice out their views and input in the fight.

The Minister told the gathering that government adopted an anti-corruption strategy in 2008 which has eight pillars among them namely the media, faith based organization, executive, judiciary, legislature, civil society organizations, traditional leaders and nongovernmental organisation.

Tembenu cited that the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature are the only three active pillars.

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Malawi, Marchel Germann said as a true friend of Malawi, the EU is ready to assist in the fight against corruption.

He observed that corruption is not only rampant in the country’s public sector but also in the private sector and even in the civil society.

One of the panelists at the conference, Professor Patrick Lumumba from Kenya said corruption in Africa is so rampant because it is not fought from top.

He noted that the fact that Malawi belongs to regional and international bodies that are fighting corruption is a clear demonstration that there is political will.

Lumumba commended Malawi for giving prosecuting powers to the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) which is not the case in most African countries.

Lumumba who is Director at Kenya School of Law called for total independence of the ACB if the fight is to be won.

He called upon African Presidents to be in the fore front to fight the malpractice and that all those that are involved should be brought to book to deter other would be offenders.

ACB Director Lucas Kondowe said much as the Bureau has operational independence, it lacks financial independence making it one of the major challenges in the fight against corruption

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thitherward wendo
thitherward wendo
6 years ago

Botswana is widely regarded as being one of the least corrupt countries in Africa. It is highly significant that, in 1999, its then president, Festus Mogae, declared the following: [for anti-corruption campaigns to be successful] “the government of the day must be prepared to risk potential embarrassment to itself” and “any anti-corruption campaign which seeks to provide immunity to any group of individuals is bound to fail because it will lack that element so essential to its success, namely public confidence and support.” Examples of successful anti-corruption campaigns exist, and the lessons are available, ready to be learned. Unfortunately, until… Read more »

True patriot
True patriot
6 years ago

I am looking forward to see Professor Patrick Lumumba at BICC tomorrow. This man does not mince words when it comes to being forthright. I only hope that he doesn’t get restricted as to what he says. PLO please remind us (Malawians) why we are still backwards, some 53 years after independence. Can you also cite two examples of good leaders in this part of Africa. I am imagining seeing a few rattled faces particularly at the high table. Well done Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs though, for making this brave move. As a nation, we needed to start… Read more »

CHIM
CHIM
6 years ago

Where is mfiti
Chaponda ??

Where is justice ??

How do we fight corruption like this ??

kambwa
kambwa
6 years ago

Arrest chaponda first and this guy akupanga ukwati wa 69million then you can claim of government commitment in fighting corruption

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