Malawi opposition criticises anti-corruption chief appointment: MCP calls it ‘cosmetic’

Malawi opposition has criticised the appointment of financial expert, LucasKondowe, as the new anti corruption czar to lead the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

President Peter Mutharika on Wednesday appointed Kondowe, First Merchant Bank (FMB) General Manager for Finance, Planning and Strategy to head the graft-busting body replacing Justice Renzine Mzikamanda.

Kondowe’s appointment is subject to the approval of the Public Appointment’s Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly.

Main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said the emphasis of having a financial expert “will not be a magic pill” to crackdown on rampant corruption in the southern African nation.

MCP spokeswoman, Dr Jessie Kabwila, called for “evidence based appointment” on why ACB has not been ticking.

“I think what we should be talking about is, does the person have a work ethic,” said Kabwila in an interview monitored on Capital Radio, a private FM national broadcaster which also streams live online.

Kabwila said MCP wants ACB to carry proper investigations and there should be no sacred cows in corruption fight, saying the “big fish” should be netted in corruption syndicate.

She called the appointment of Kondowe as “cosmetic approach.”

“What donors are waiting is that we show we are serious in the fight against corruption,” she said accusing Peter Mutharika of “executive arrogance.”

“What is weakening our institutions in Malawi is executive arrogance,” pointed out Kabwila.

He accused President Mutharika of abdicating from his electoral pledge to reduce presidential powers – especially in appointing officer in oversight institutions – and that the new anti-corruption czar will have allegiance to the Head of State other than being independent.

“You the media need to go to Peter Mutharika to say, you promised to reduce presidential powers, what are you doing?The issue is we have a government that is failing to deliver its promises,” said Kabwila.

Also commenting on the issues on the Capital Radio was Peoples Party (PP) spokesman Ken Msonda who accused President Mutharika of appointing a DPP member to head ACB.

Msonda alleged that Kondowe “is a DPP member,” claiming that he has been an active operative of the ruling party.

“It raises a lot of eyebrows on the criteria used to pick him. We need to avoid politicising some of these things,” said Msonda.

But Kondowe said he would not kowtow to political pressure and would be professional as possible.

He said President Mutharika had assured him that there will be no interference from the administration.