Civil society urges Malawi govt to act on PAC resolutions with speed

Civil society organisations say they are becoming impatient with the government slow pace of implementing Public Affairs Committee (PAC) resolutions ahead of the expiry of deadlines.

Activist Benedicto Kondowe said the civil society organisations want to see immediate change in the way the state broadcaster, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) discharges its duties.

MBC, though using tax payer money, works for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and insults opposition leaders including Malawi Congress Party  (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera.

Kondowe said if MBC continue to be biased towards the ruling party, it risks a lawsuit.

Another issue, Kondowe said, is that the Anti-Corruption Bureau should prosecute former Agriculture minister George Chaponda.

He said it was worrying that it was taking long before Chaponda was taken to court in his alleged involvement in the Zambia maize scandal.

Information minister Nicholas Dausi said it was impossible to effect change at MBC within 30 days as per PAC recommendations whilst Justice minister Samuel Tembenu said people should be patient as prosecution of suspects by ACB involves other players like courts.