Malawi opposition for assets law implementation
Malawi opposition political parties have expressed concern over the delay in having the Director of Declaration of Assets (DDA) appointed to ensure Section 83 of the Constitution on declaration of assets by those that hold public office is enforced.
Spokesperson of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Dr Jessie Kabwira as saying her party is concerned with the way the issue of declaring assets is being handled.
“It is unfortunate that the law on declaring assets does not have the teeth to punish those that trifle with it,” Kabwila said as quoted in the press.
Kabwila calls for public officers including the President and the Vice President to publicly declare their assets and liabilities to help in ensuring that they accumulate wealth in a rightful and proper manner.
Peoples Party (PP) Secretary General Paul Maulidi said that much as it is important to follow the rules regarding the declaration of assets, Malawians will be short changed because the implementation of the law itself is still problematic.
“As it stands now, no one actually know what these public officers own,” he said.
National Coordinator for the Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice (CCJP) Chris Chisoni said Malawians are justified to question the rationale for such development.
However Malawi National Assembly Roosvert Gondwe said the Public Appointment Committee of Parliament is meeting next week to discuss the terms and reference of the DDA.
The declaration law has been shunned and not complied with by Malawi’s leaders.
