Matemba says Kondowe ‘lied’: ACB bosses rift grows as political interference divides Malawi graft busting body

Graft busting body, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) top two bosses are clearly divided in what commentators say  is as a result of high level political interference.

Deputy director of ACB, Reyneck Matemba recently refuted remarks by his boss, Lucas Kondowe, that the deputy director gave a legal advice to Malawi Regulatory Authority  (MRA) contract.

“I did not take part in advising the case of MERA as reported by Kondowe. In fact it is Mike Kalonga who is handling that case so it is a total lie,” said Matemba.

“Our working relationship is just good that is the only thing I can tell you. But on the report that I was among the legal adviser to the MERA case he was lying,” he added.

In an interview on Tuesday, Kondowe insisted he consulted Matemba but Matemba said he was never consulted.

Kondowe described Matemba as somebody who failed to understand things fast.

“You know there are some people who fail to understand fast, I don’t know what he is denying. But any way, my office and his are in good relationship,” argued Kondowe.

Let by Kondowe’s personal involvement, ACB is restricting MERA to give a K6.8 billion contract to Terrastone Limited to construct MERA office complex of which the Lilongwe magistrate court refused.

Sources close to ACB said it was even surprising that the Auditor General Stephenson KAmphasa gave the names of the seven cabinet ministers allegedy involved in the K236 billion to Kondowe in the absence of Matemba.

“The former director of ACB never did this. He involved his deputy in every undertakings unlike this one, Mr Kondowe.”

The sources said Kamphasa and Kondowe exchanged the cashgate names in the absence of Matemba or other senior officials which is very unusual in the set up of ACB.

Kondowe is a financial expert whilst Matemba is a lawyer by profession and also lead prosecutor for ACB.

Recently, Matemba shocked the nation when he recused himself from the high level corruption case of former president Bakili Muluzi.

Some people cited the political interference as the main cause that is dividing the two top heads of the graft busting body.

The differences of the two bosses, high level political interferences coupled with poor working conditions and poor remuneration has led to 13 members of staff resigning in less than a year.