Malawi Law Society wants deputy speakers prosecuted, join case for illegal allowances

Malawi Law Society says it has made an appointment with the Director of Public Prosecutions in a bid to prosecute the two deputy speakers accused of misuse of public money.

President of the MLS John Msuzi Banda confirmed on Monday his organisation is not happy the way the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) is handling the whole matter.

First Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje and Second Deputy Speaker Clement Chiwawa are accused of pocketing huge sums of money in house allowances when they were not entitled to because they live in their own houses.

“We are not in agreement with the ACB who think the issue has to do with maladministration at parliament therefore the two deputy speakers should just repay back the money,” said Msuzi Banda.

He said the first step is to meet the state top prosecutor Mary Kachale for a discussion and way forward on the matter.

ACB spokeswoman Egritta Ndala said the law provides that some groups, including MLS can join such cases.

Ndala said the ACB has powers to direct no prosecution on any issue and instead recommend disciplinary action which include deduction of the stolen money.

Msuzi Banda said Chilenje and Chiwaya must be prosecuted in line with recommendations from the parliamentary service commission.