Matemba has work cut out as new Malawi anti-graft busting body

Social-political commentators have applauded President Peter Mutharika’s appointment of Reyneck Matemba as director of Anti-Corruption Bureau pending Parliament approval, describing Matemba as fit for the job.

ACB newly appointed director and prosecutor Reyneck Matemba : Tough road lies ahead

Writing on her newspaper column in Weekend Nation, seasoned journalist Suzgo Khunga described the news of Matemba’s appointment as refreshing but warned that the nation would be watching closely which side the new anti-graft Czar will sway, to the 17 million Malawians or the powers that will have put him in the position of ACB director general.

“Much as the departure of Lucas Kondowe might have been seamless, he left behind an ACB that for the past 3 years has failed to garner trust and credibility in the eyes of the majority of Malawians. But in Matemba APM has seriously gambled. Elevating a career civil servant with a CV boasting of work as an administrator general and with Legal Aid Department within the Ministry of Justice could be the breath of fresh air that the fight against Corruption needs but on another note could spell doom for those who basked in the protection of powers that be,” wrote  Khunga who is also the Deputy Bureau Chief for Nation Publications Limited.

Continued Khunga:”It is to Matemba’s advantage that he has seen the ACB through cashgate age. By recusing himself from the Muluzi case, he has shown to be a man of integrity and unlike his predecessor, his career seems without blemish. If there was an individual who is deserving of a presidential appointment then Matemba is the one. Whether he will be the best ACB director general the nation has yet to see”.

Earlier this week, after Nyasa Times  had reported that Mutharika was on the verge of appointing Matemba, another governance analyst Makhumbo Munthali took it to the social media to hail the President for such an appointment.

“If what I am hearing that President prof.Arthur Peter Mutharika has appointed Mr Reyneck Matemba as ACB chief is true, then the President must be commended. For those of us who have had the privilege of interacting with Mr Matemba on matters to relating to the fight against Corruption can testify that the former ACB deputy director is fit -at least from a professional perspective- to take up the mantle.
“Unlike his “predecessor” who in his speech and public actions seemed to wear a political face, Matemba has all along discharged his duties in a professional manner especially when handling public criticism against the bureau and also engaging non-state actors. Of course mindful of the political interference that has all along characterised this high office, the  appointment  of Matemba provides some hope that at least we have the right person on the job!”

Matemba comes to head ACB at a time people think corruption is worsening in Malawi, spreading in the public as well as the private sector .

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Zamamina
Zamamina
6 years ago

I thought you had done so investigative journalism. This is just an opinion which doesn’t tell anything deeper.

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