Ntata earmarked for ACB director post: To fight corruption tooth and nail
President Peter Mutharika is to make appointments of new head of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to be confirmed by Parliament and Allan Z. Ntata has come out as hot favourite for the top job of the country’s graft bursting body to replace Justice Renzine Mzikamanda, Nyasa Times understands.
Ntata, a law barrister who had previously worked at ACB and also served as late president Bingu wa Mutharika’s legal advisor, has been an anti-corruption activist.
While in self-imposed exile in London, Ntata produced a report ‘Licence to loot’ which chronicled media reports on cashgate corruption scandal at the Capital Hill.
He also launched a citizen-led initiative to help build and ensure public accountability. His watchdog is called Independent Commission on Accountability and Transparency (iCAT).
Ntata told Nyasa Times that Icat will ensure to promote transparency, accountability, integrity and access to information at all levels of society in the fight against graft in Malawi.
President Mutharika, insiders say, wants a vibrant anti-corruption crusader to lead ACB, so that his zero-tolerance to corruption stance is practiced.
Mutharika, 74, pledged to prosecute anyone guilty of corruption and make efforts to recoup money stolen during the “Cashgate” scandal, in which 13.5 billion Malawi kwacha ($34 million) disappeared from government coffers between April and the end of September 2013.
The President has also promised to give ACB the independence from political interference.
The graft watchdog is enjoying low public opinion over its handling of high profile cases.
Office of President and Cabinet has refused to comment on the appointment saying “the public will be rightfully informed when any appointment has been made.”
Since assuming top office, President Mutharika has yet to draw up a full government.
So far, he has only appointed Goodall Gondwe, an internationally acclaimed economist, to head up a hybrid Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.
Gondwe had headed up the same ministry before late former president Bingu wa Mutharika died in office in April 2012.
The President also appointed Mabvuto Bamusi as special assistant to the President on NGOs; DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi as National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) director general and Commissioner of Police for the Southern Region Lexten Kachama as deputy inspector general of police
Analysts have urged President Mutharika to be “moving forward by appointing young people” but cautioned on “appeasement policy.”
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