Chizuma challenged to deliver now that Kayuni is out
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) have challenged Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General, Martha Chizuma, to start delivering on her corruption fight now that her nemesis and fired Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr. Steven William Kayuni is out of the system.
The two organizations says the dismissal of Kayuni is enough that the Malawi Government could do to energize Martha Chizuma to expedite corruption cases.
Apparently, the ACB boss has been complaining that she did not receive support from the office of the DPP regarding prosecution of corruption cases involving high profile personalities and politicians.
In his national address on Wednesday, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera expressed disappointment that the bad blood between Kayuni and Chizuma affected prosecution of corruption cases.
Chakwera observed that Malawi did not make significant progress in the fight against graft despite his call for ACB and all stakeholders to adopt a new approach that involves all institutions working together in order to make the fight sustainable and victories irreversible.
“That is a more sustainable weapon against corruption than institutions that work alone or individuals who can make costly mistakes. So no matter what anybody says, my administration has no interest in supporting a losing anti-corruption strategy that promotes interagency discord. When I promised and when you elected me to end corruption, this collaborative approach between institutions was always the goal, and nothing will deter me from it,” he said.
HRDC vice chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa and HRCC chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba concurred with Chakwera, saying the bad blood between the two legal luminaries was costing Malawians fortunes in corruption fight.
The duo said now that Kayuni is out of the system, Chizuma has no excuse, but strive to work with other institutions if Malawi is to see progress in the battle against corruption.
“We expect ACB to expedite prosecution of corruption cases now. She has no excuses to make,” said Mkwezalamba.
Chizuma must deliver without any excuses
As a nation, is it possible to propose to the Parliament to review the time frame of adjournment of cases in Court? Suspects are traumatized and mentally tortured whilst waiting for the Courts to set a date for court hearing , thus, Much as l agree with HRDC and HRCC ,lam of the view that ,Chizuma and ACB, cannot perform miracles on their own in the fight against corruption..but there is need for collaboration of efforts with all government agencies, the office of the AG,Police, Judiciary and the office of the DPP, but, above all,” there must be political will”. it’s not a one man show! You see, most of the criminals involved in corruption are Politians and wealthy business tycoons who are politically connected . It’s a fierce job , not as easy as we imagine .The danger is ” Corruption fights back” it weakens the ” immune system of those in power ” thus, it becomes difficult for Politians to fight Corruption from their hearts but rather, on face value, and on the surface .,We have old cases of Muluzi, Friday Jumbe and Phillip Bwanali,Chisale, Cement gate,Sattar gate,Covid gate,Nocma gate, Accountant General’s fraud cases, the list is long .ACB needs lots of funding, additional manpower,et, adjournment of cases should also be reviewed by the Parliament!I urge the CSO’s to assist the ACB and the Judiciary, on how best to conclude all corruption cases, even if it means organizing demonstrations.eg ” All those involved in Sattar Gate must fall within three months” and recover our money.The H.E is leading in the fight against corruption, for the first time in the history of Malawi.You see, a person is having more than two Police bails in his pocket, but he is at liberty to organize demos.The Judiciary needs support to avoid delays.
I am failing to appreciate the basis for HRCC and HDRC to pressure ACB to deliver as stated in their respective press releases. The leadership of ACD will need the cooperation of other government agencies in order to deliver as expected. That is very clear and important We should not deliberately lose sight to that crucial aspect . Its not only the office of DPP that was a stumbling block.
The ACB will also need to work hand in hand with the court judges. The Honourable judges can not pushed to pass judgments on whether suspects are guilty or not at the speed HRCC or HRDC or ACB would wish.
I note that we have many cases in courts that have remained unconcluded after so many years. For instance the treason case of Hon Chilumpha has never been concluded. The K1.7billion case of 2006. I believe we should be worried about those old cases that have a bearing on human rights then fresh cases being handled by the current management at ACB.
Its interesting that HDRC and HRCC took time to condemn(did they? ) the arrest of the head of ACB in December last year.