Chakwera tells Chizuma: “You are free to arrest anyone who breaks the graft law.”
“The president is immensely passionate and overly committed to fight corruption in the country.”
“I give you the independence, work the way you want in accordance with the law and you are free to arrest anyone who you think is on the wrong side of the corruption law.”
This is what president Chakwera purportedly told Martha Chizuma when they met, last week soon after she was finally confirmed as the new minted ACB director.
Malawi president Lazarus Chakwera has told the newly appointed ACB director general Martha Chizuma to execute her duties in preventing and curbing corruption in the country without fear or favour, State House has said.
State House director of communications and an executive assistant to the Chakwera, Sean Kampondeni said Monday during a State House briefing that the Malawi Head of State has had an audience with the legal bulldozer after the current Ombudsman Chizuma was finally confirmed by Public Appointments Committee of Parliament who had earlier rejected her confirmation.
Said Kampondeni: “The new ACB Director, Ms Martha Chizuma, met the president after Parliament who earlier on rejected her, rescinded their decision and confirmed her and shared their visions in terms of how the fight against corruption can go forward.
“The president, as you know is passionate and overly committed to fight corruption in the country in the meeting with the ACB boss, gave her full independence to do her job according to the way and assured her that there will be no political interferences.”
President Chakwera’s Press Secretary Brian Banda, responding a question on corruption during the State House briefing repeated Kampondeni’s sentiments on the president’s stance on fighting corruption in the country and appointment of Chizuma as ACB director.
“Is president Chakwera happy that now Martha Chizuma has finally been confirmed,” a journalist asked.
In his response, Brian Banda, who is president Chakwera’ mouthpiece, said: ” The president is indeed happy but as you know that the president is verify serious when it comes corruption.
“President believes in the rule of law and it for this regard that has given Madam Martha Chizuma limitless freedom and unqualified independence to do her job in accordance with the law.
Banda said President Chakwera will not interfere with the ACB or allow anyone to drag down the corruption busting body into political interferences.
“As ACB director, Chizuma is independent and she has been told that the president will not shield anyone. She is free to arrest anybody who has broken the law without looking at who is the person, what he does, his political connection or affiliation. It is her discretion to arrest anyone she thinks has a case to answer to the courts,” explained Banda.
President Chakwera during one the televised national address famously, said:” If the finger of evidence points at you, you are going to jail.”
Again, during the country’s first president, Kamuzu Hastings Banda lashed out at some of people within ranks and file within his own politburo sternly warning them:
“Don’t call me ‘your own president’ for I am not a president for a selected few, I am the president for all Malawians including those in opposition.”
Chizuma’s appointment as ACB director by president Chakwera is seen as a statement of seriousness in the president’s quest to fighting graft and the same time sending a loud and clear message out there that there is no safe haven for corruption perpetrators.
Both the UK and the US governments commended President Chakwaera for appointing a solid and results-oriented professional to lead the fight against corruption in Malawi saying Chizuma is the perfect fit for the job.”
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Mukachotsa minister mmawa lake mumapepesanso. Choncho mwati Malita angamange aliyense?
Martha, plz, when are you reporting for duties. Mukuchedwatu. We want to see you throwing your bait into lake Malawi and catch that big fish.
The issue of fighting corruption is not about choosing one person to fight it but setting up a self revealing environment that mitigates every motivation of indulging in a corrupt process. Institutions must be equipped with all necessary and deliberate controls that deter and reveal every corrupt process. As a nation we need soul searching and country wide awareness of ethics so that every person must fight within himself/herself way before indulging in any attempts of corruption. All the best to Miss Chizuma…
Congratulations to you Madam Martha Chizuma. May the grace of God be upon you, while undertaking and executing that formidable job, as the ACB Director General, which most of us Malawians are delighted to have you there. As a diligent and fearless Ombudsman, Madam Martha Chizuma showed us all that she is capable and commitment to excellent and exceptional service to our country. It is gratifying to see His Excellency Dr. Chakwera not only putting a woman in position of power, but also a consummate professional woman. This is one of the positions on which Malawi’s fortune or fate can… Read more »
State House staff, history has it that you are the ones who provokes the public to be angry about the presidency with your overly RHETORICS! What you often say does not often translate to realities on demonstrated committment. From what has been observed so far, there seems to be already sacred cows in the alliance. Just look around and see how many of Cashgate curprits, the COVIDGATE are we able to see being treated as sacred cows?????????? Mwalembazi ndizonama izi…. its just political rhetoric!!!! They say the quality of the pudding is in the eating!!!! Tikuonerani
How do UK’s and US’s know and worry affairs of Malawi and its people? Do we commend or interfere in their home issues? Let Malawians see what’s good and right for them.
Inenso kudabwa.. Malawi is an independent state… We don’t want UK or US to approve what we do in our bedrooms..
They comment because we are constantly asking for help from them. Financial etc. We have no power to comment on their affairs because we do not provide them with any assistance. The borrower will always be slave to the lender.
The USA can know your daily routine if they want to. Remember, they got embassy in Malawi and anybody that the president want to appoint the USA will know the background of that person. The USA is one of the country that help the Malawian government financially, and they want to know how their money is being used. The USA is the most powerful country in the world both militarily and economically. They got spies on the ground working for 24 hours. They can spy on any person of their interests.
It is the colonial mentality hangover, let us concentrate on what we can do best. As a nation if we see fit not to have other services, the choice is ours.
Remember, Africa is still colonized systematically. That is why before a president is sworn in they have to report to UK, US, and China in some cases India or UAE to prove and accept their terms and conditons.
Because they give you money to fix roads and build hospitals and DPP gives it to Norman Chisale.
Don’t send shivers down the spines of dpp corrupt chiefs. Investigate how civil servants built mansions in low density areas. Investigate osungunula mafuta a Boma. Why the new roads have developed potholes within a short period?
…to arrest anyone who you think is on the wrong side of corruption law”. Just as you think really? Or arrest anyone you have no doubt there is prima facie case based on evidence you have gathered? Many people will be arrested on the premise of guilty until proven innocent.
Way to go!
I am delighted that finally the ACB is in good and capable hands.
The corrupt are spending sleepless nights and those who were plotting to outdo their fellow corrupt friends will have to think twice.
This is what Malawians voted for.
Yamba kugwila iyeyo