ACB push for Malawi corruption court

Malawi’s Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) is pushing for the establishment of a special corruption court for the speedy trial of such cases.

ACB argues that many corruption cases are taking time to conclude due to lack of such a court.

Other special courts include the Industrial, Commercial, Child Justice and the constitutional.

ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala said apart from the establishment of the special courts the anti
graft body is also pushing for the bureau to be able to issue warrant of arrest when they have reasonable suspicion of corrupt practises other than going trhough the court to obtain warrants,

“Establishment of this special court will not only help us reduce the backload of cases pending court appearance, but will also reduce the costs that the bureau incurs particularly due to delay in cases being settled,” she said.

According to Ndala, besides monetary costs that come due to transfer of some prosecutors or witnesses to places away from the presiding courts, delay in administering the cases has led to the bureau losing some cases after a witness dies.

“Since corruption cases fight in our courts for space just like all other criminal cases, most corruption cases stall for months or even years as a result, we lose witnesses to cases, and it is very costly on our side,” she said.

She, however, stated that the bureau is doing everything in its power to ensure that cases are brought into court as fast as possible so that concerned parties together with the general public get a clear conscience out of the cases.