Malawi glorifies thieves, vilifies patriots – Activist

The country’s well known political activist Dan Msowoya has attributed the worsening socio-economic challenges haunting Malawi to the electorates’ tendency of electing and celebrating leaders he describes as ‘thieves’ while undermining contribution of genuine patriots saying voting in the country is based on handouts.

Msowoya made the remarks in Lilongwe on Monday during the opening of a media training workshop organized by the Centre for Investigative Journalism in Malawi-CIJM under the theme ‘Investigating and Reporting Corruption’.

The activist, who is also the deputy board chairman for CIJM, said Malawi has lived with the corrupt leaders for ages and nothing seems happening to eradicate the retrogressive tendency.

“The irony and tragedy for us in Malawi is that knowingly or unknowingly we elect hyenas to take care of our goats, which have now been consumed,” said Msowoya, directly attacking leaders who have abused their power for selfish private gains such as the infamous ‘cashgate’ scandal that has drained Malawi resources since its roll out in 2005.

He described the reluctance by different governments to pass the access to information bill as clear sign that our leaders nurse clandestine plans to wrongfully enrich themselves at the expense of the poor Malawians.

“I therefore reiterate the call upon the President to hasten the passing of the access to information bill for the purpose of fostering the culture of transparency and accountability,” he added.

On this, the activist called on the country’s journalists not to relent but investigate leaders who are busy abusing their powers for improved good governance.

One of the participants, Timothy Kachedwa, a journalist for Malawi 24 believes the training has the potential to create a better Malawi “if journalists practice what they have learnt, truly the country will change because corruption continues crippling our economy.”

Joshua Malango of Dziko Radio said Malawi needs the media staffed with reporters who are well trained in investigative journalism.

Collins Mtika, director of CIJM and  also a Nyasa Times  senior journalist, said they want to train more journalists locally in investigative skills.

CIJM is conducting a one week capacity building training on investigative reporting with funding from Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa-OSISA.

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