Malawi paper says Chilima’s anti-corruption stance should swing into action now ‘even as whistleblower’
Malawi’s leading daily newspaper, The Nation, has used its editorial comment to add the voice of support to what the some civil society organisations (CSOs) have said in backing Vice-President Saulosi Chilima stance on ending corruption in Malawi as a bold move.
Chilima said when he launched his United Transformation Movement (UTM) at Masintha ground in Lilongwe on Saturday, that his movement is ready to usher in the change Malawi needs among others to genuinely fight corruption, end nepotism and impunity – which he accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government of perpetuating the vices.
The CSOs have welcomed his pledge and in an editorial comment titled ‘ Well said Mr Vice-President, but go beyond rhetoric’, The Nation said lauded Chilima for committing to enhancing the independence of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) through legal and constitutional reforms, including stripping the presidency of immunity from prosecution.
The paper agrees with the CSOs that what Chilima said at UTM launch is “indeed a bold statement” especially coming from a person holding the Office of the Vice-President.
It pointed out that, it is not the first time Chilima to rap the DPP-led government of embrassing levels of graft, saying he has spoken before about corruption.
However, the paper urges Chilima to “go beyond podium rhetoric and swing into action in fighting corruption in the country even as a whistleblower.”
It said that way, the electorate will take Chilima’s tough stance on corruption seriously in the run-up to the 2019 Tripartite Elections.
“By openly condemning corruption in a government he is serving, the Vice-President has already taken a bold step. But he should do more,” says the influential daily in the editorial.
The paper pointed out that corruption has destroyed Malawi, costing the public good service delivery in health, education, agriculture and infrastructure development sectors.
“Corruption and fraud have cost this country its reputation as it keeps sliding on corruption perception indices,” reads the editorial.
Chilima told crowds at Masintha ground that “a corrupt –free Malawi is possible”, a statement agreed by CSOs that it can be achieved with greater political will from the leadership.
SKC – as Chilima is fondly called by his supporters – warned that he will reveal more rot in DPP as well as “name and shame” those who are involved in corruption.
The ruling DPP has been plagued by calls from CSOs for President Peter Mutharika to resign after a leaked report by the Anti-Corruption Bureau accused Mutharika of benefiting K145 million ( $195,000 ) from Zameer Karim of Pioneer Investment , whose firm is being investigated on a contract to supply food to the police.
“K145 million payout to DPP and the President is just a tip of the iceberg; there is more rot in government. In days to come I will expose more corrupt activities happening including in the procurement of gensets for Escom,” said Chilima, 45, who was handpicked by President Mutharika to run alongside him in 2014 presidential race on DPP ticket.
Chilima, who will contest for presidency on UTM ticket in the 2019 watershed polls, said when voted to be Head of State, he will give a 30-day amnesty to all those involved in the plunder if public resources to return the money or face the law.
“May I call on those who have stolen government money to start paying that back. Next year, we will only give an amnesty of 30 days for all those to pay back our money,” he said.
Laying down a 12-point plan for UTM, also hinted at having presidential immunity removed.
On Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Chilima said UTM will ensure that the law is reformed to have the Director General of the institution appointed by Parliament, in a transparent and competitive manner.
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Umbamva Tidzapitiliza Mwanzeru
If SKC knows who the corrupt persons are, it’s no use telling Malawians ction will be taken after we take over government next year. What will happen if a party other than UTM wins the elections? Are we going to allow plunder of public resources to continue? If naming and shaming is to be done, then the time is now. Be a whistle blower and let the ACB know, push ” the ball in their court” and let us see how they will handle the issue. Otherwise what you have done is giving the culprits an opportunity sell or launder the ill gotten assets and what the country does not need is protracted legal battles.
You have put your neck on a chopping block because people will be expecting actions after 21st May 2019. Inaction will be detrimental.
Whatever you do DO NOT form a coalition with PP
We will see how true he is to his word by who UTM forms alliance with in the coming days! It’s my prayer and hope that it’s not cashgaters!
Talking to cashgaters (PP) at capital hotel meeting is not fighting corruption, that is embracing corruption
What was the capital hotel meeting with the PP officials about??? ………cashgate party??
Investigate the sale of the presidential jet as well, we have never gotten a clear explanation!
Great! But for his message to remain valid he needs to stay on message and not take on cashgaters from any party including PP
Distance yourself from JB the biggest cashgater, don’t cozy up to her and her PP, you need to walk the talk to maintain the momentum you just started!
If Chilima is serious about combating corruption and theft of public funds then he shouldn’t be talking to JB and her son Roy about joining forces with PP. JB whether she did it or not will be tied to the biggest CASHGATE in the history of Malawi that saw her fall unceremoniously from grace , teaming up with her will be contrary to UTM core values !!!!
WHERE IS BAKER TILLY REPORT
UP TO NOW ?? CHILIMA AND JOYCE BANDA HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL MALAWIANS –PLEASE
RESCUE OUR MOTHER MALAWI !!
If SKC knows who the corrupt persons are, it’s no use telling supporters action will be taken after we take over government next year. What Happens if a party other than UTM wins the elections. If action has to be taken then the time is now. What you have done is to warm the corrupt persons to sell or launder the ill gotten assets. The country will then be engaged in protracted legal battles.
The suspected embezzlers should be reported to the ACB and let’s see how they will handle the issue. We will be watching. As the saying goes, ” The ball will be in ACB’s court”.
He needs to resign as a BP.
So u kept names of corrupt people? Why not giving names to police in hope time?
It will be interesting how the naming and shaming will happen especially with some of the known corrupt people sharing a podium with him at Masintha. Saulos has his work cut out and he needs to act in a serious manner. Last time he told the nation that he was working on a resignation letter from the DPP but such a letter is taking months to finalise. I hope we will not witness the same indecision when it comes to shaming the corrupt.
Just to chip in a word of thanks to Wongani Chiuta. You write really well and your articles are a pleasure to read.
Chilima just want to fool Malawians, he knows what he is doing and he is doing it for his Boss and the team called D.P.P.
Remember up to date he has never mentioned what the last meeting he had with his boss was all about, mark my words, this is a game he is playing, he must not lie to Malawians like what he is doing and his team, If he is bring change in this Country let him tell us how his hand worked in the last Elections because many of Malawians thinks that he was the one who played a big game for rigging election, which up to day we still take him as a crook, Chilima is called Chilima because of that kind of picture am talking about here.
Politics a side, if indeed Chilima is sided with Malawians as he claim to be, what envidence he has to show that he once hate and or speak against corruption in his own house?
Can he really speak openly and tell us that he said it to his boss? may be he can but what was the ans from his boss if indeed he once warn him?
If indeed Chilima want to cheat Malawians by his tricks, he should be just given time and joke and or speak his parables otherwise, we will have a big regret if we can choose him as the Head of State by his lies,
I don’t see any thing new from any person who can form his party who once being under D.P.P so as Chilima, he is the Son of Peter Munthalika remember? what are you expecting from the Son who is accusing his father? is he not corrupt as well?
Malawians sometimes we may choose not to understand the way how our leaders behave but what i know is that in Politics there is no permanent enemy, Chilima should not deceive us, we are already nothing with him or without him because of his past,
Malawians,, Can Chilima speak of what happened in Ntchisi and Dowa, his own U.T.M member was ferrying people from Ntchisi to Dowa for registration, is this the movement he is talking about?
This Country needs great people with great vision!
God bless Malawi.
The truth of the matter is not Chilima will not mention one individual who is corrupt. Are we all stupid to believe what politicians say on political podium. Didn’t APM utter similar words when JB was the president? Didn’t he was he was going to reduce presidential powers? What has happened. Take what politicians say with a pinch of salt, don’t get too excited. listen carefully to what they are saying. Do they mean it or just to please the voters? I will not believe Chilima’s barking on corruption until he names and shame as he has said publicly . Barking dogs seldom bites.
Why would he use corruption to boost his campaign, calling people mbava izi. If he knows the thieves, why can’t he report them if there is credible evidence. Report them to ACB with evidence and name them in public so that the public can put pressure to have cases brought to court. Just saying will name them doesnt work. Like its been said, Kamlepo tried it, APM told him tell me the names, and up to now we have never heard a name. Even the DPP gurus have challenged Saulos to let out the names. Engage investigative journalists to investigate whatever you know. Times took Chaponda to task and did good journalism work and coz of that his political career is over. The only way to kill DPP is to expose the crooks.
I totally agree with the CSOs…….that Chilima should take a step further to expose the rot within DPP or indeed MCP and also the church if he has come across any wrongdoing. No one is sacred when it comes to corruption. I would also him to stop taking a salary if Peter Mutharika doesn’t give him any work in the month (he should still stick to his government position as VP of the country). Mr Chilima be prepared to be locked up, kicked or kukutukwanani as the name feels the pressure. Don’t focus on politics of revenge but rather building. Politics of hatred has never served any politician well as they get derailed in a war that can hardly be won. Let’s start from a clean slate and focus on crafting the vision and dream of the Malawi we want to see in 5-10 years time. Be accessible to people and not hide in your convoys. Walk with the people and eat msima with the villagers. Visit all the 26 districts and mingle with the ordinary and win their hearts; those are the people who have votes and not just those who grace your misonkhano.
I agree with this call for sure. Chilima has two hats at the moment – Vice president as well as Malawi citizen. As a good citizen, Chilima should report corruption without hesitation. This is what we have all be told to report corruption ‘immediately”. On that, he has failed because he has hesitated too much. Revealing corruption should not be dangled like a carrot! It’s not for sale. If an information for a good cause. He should report immediately he senses or observes corrupt practices anywhere and at any given time. His hesitation is what I am questioning that this man Chilima is not serious and could be trusted with caution. As Vice President, he has the power to act – if he cannot then he is simply but a dummy and must resign in the spirit of loving the country! That said, I wonder how much information he is holding from Malawians and how much he and APM know between the two. There is a lot of rot here we need to deal with! You are holding on to the tree branch you want to prune! Sure?????
Even if he reports ACB is toothless and you all know it only bites opposition members where is uladi mussa’s passport gate case since he joined DPP and is vice president it will end here or be found with no case to answer like chaponda so please the first thing is to make ACB independent.not mere reporting.