Malawi anti-graft body concedes losing public trust: ‘Not receiving tip-offs’

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)  has conceded that it does not have the public trust in the fight against graft as Malawians feel the body is failing to effectively stem out corruption in the country thereby not attracting whistle-blowers.

ACB director Reyneck Matemba said at the International Anti-Corruption Day in Mangochi that apart from funding challenges, the bureau is not receiving tip-offs from the public on corruption issues.

“We are aware that some members of the public have stopped tipping us on suspected cases of corruption because the public perception is that ACB drags its feet to investigate and conclude cases.

“Ideally, to meet public expectations and send proper warnings to would-be perpetrators, we need to expedite investigations followed by proper court processes which should end in conviction. That way, Malawians would be convinced that we are fulfilling our duties,” he said.

A  recent media survey, Malawians poorly rated the ACB in the fight against graft.

In a vote of no confidence, the public faulted the country’s legal framework which gives power to the President to appoint the bureau’s director general.

Tawonga Kasomekera said on Twitter: “ACB is the most shameful body ever even Satan will spit it out of hell because it’s evil is for the next level when a new world order takes control. I can’t even rate them.”

United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner Holly Tett also expressed concern over the fight against corruption in the country.

She pointed out that corruption impacts on the average Malawians that continue being subjected to sub-standard public services as well as loss of investments in the public services.

Tett said: “The fight against corruption should not be for the Anti-Corruption Bureau alone. It requires a coalition that, for example, should involve greater coordination among the Executive, the Judiciary, Parliament, law enforcement agencies, banks, estate agents, lawyers, civil society, the media and the private sector.

“As development partners, we also stand ready to play our part.”

According to a Global Corruption Barometer report on citizen’s views and experiences of corruption jointly released in July this year by Transparency International (TI) and Afrobarometer, about 72 percent of Malawians are of the view that corruption has been on the increase during the previous 12 months. Malawi is currently ranked 120 on the 2018 TI Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

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