Undule calls for inclusion of civil society, media in ‘maizegate’ probe
A prominent human rights activist Undule Mwakasungula, who is also former Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) executive directoris appealing to Malawi President Peter Mutharika to include the representative of the media and civil society organisations leaders into the commission of inquiry into the alleged misprocurement of maize from Zambia by State grain trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).
Mwakasungula has added voice to the calls by CSOs for an inclusive inqurity as history has shown that commissions of inquiry are set up to simply silence inquisitive Malawians.
“But it would have been good if CSOs and the media were included in this Commission of Inquiry and l hope the President will consider this request for the interest of building trust in the process of finding the truth in this maize saga,” said Mwakasungula.
Mwakasungula has also urged Mutharika to strengthen systems in which will ensure transparency and accountability unlike the current one which lacks coherence and coordination.
“But this maize saga will make us get some lessons as a nation to improve our systems. We must rework on all our national systems for efficiency , transparency and accountability for the betterment of our national development,” he said.
Mwakasungula also urged Malawians to ensure soberness as they are keenly awaiting for the fully operationalisation of the commission of enquiry on the Malawi-Zambia maize deal which Mutharika has set.
“I join other Malawians to applaud President Arthur Peter Mutharika for the setting up the Commission of Inquiry on the maize saga. What he has done shows he is a leader who listens to national concerns but above all committed to promoting transparency and accountability.
“As a nation we must give a chance to this Commission to do its assignment without interferences according to its terms of reference,” said Mwakasungula.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Watch executive director Billy Banda has urged president Mutharika to beef up the commission of enquiry to include NGO leaders, media practitioners and religious bodies.
“Malawi Watch requests the President to consider beefing up the Commission of Inquiry team with representation from CSOs/NGOs, media practitioners and religious bodies for more balance before the appointed team takes its oath,” Banda said.
Banda said his organisation believes the President has acted fairly and in good faith in responding with such a move following many concerns from different quarters of the society.
Some CSOs calling for the suspension of Admarc chief executive officer Foster Mulumbe and Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda to pave the way for investigations.
However, Chaponda has challenged that he cannot step down over the matter.
He accused those agitating for his suspension or outright dismissal as being jealous.
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mbava inanso nde ndi imeneyi!!!!!!!!!!
Our President, you have done well to set up a commission of enquiry on maize scandle. As a concerned Malawian, may you please help to find out what is going on at Poly. College. Why is it close up to now, yet others are opened. Students are at home . Please help?
chaponda verily verily we are jealousy please step down if you are a man ….
Inclusion of other bodies will ad credibility to the report.
God will make Chaponda resign by 28th Janury. Keep my words. Something terrible will happen. I repeat keep my words
Kodi ma religious groups, media people and CSOs ndiye amene ali achilungamo eeeh!!!!! Mukufuna kutiuza kuti Malunga, Thyolera, Mlhane, Kasakula, Mtambo, Mkwezelamba, Trapence, etc.. Are more morally upright and trustworthy more that Justice Anastazia Msosa SC????!!!! Incredible that!!! Yakwana imeneyo enawo akhoza kupanga ma inquiry awo.
Chambe, what evidence do you have to conclude that the commissioners have no interest in the matter? If Bakuwa’s death can be investigated along with the maize-gate it will help save resources. Let other players be included. After all, by the end of the day, the report will prevail based on the findings and nobody will have influence to have it doctored. It will not be easy to doctor the report with many stakeholders around. If anything, The President’s appointment would be construed to be partisan as none knows the criteria He used to appoint these people. Remember it was… Read more »
I think its high time Undule and media for their political parties and contest mu 2019 aiiiiiiyoooo
The current appointed Commission includes members who have no any vested interest in the saga. They will be impartial in their approach and will come out with impartial findings. The moment you start including bodies with vested interests and already with construed minds , then you invite conflicts of interests and the following may occur: 1.Demands for Mlumbe and Chaponda to resign before they can start hence delaying the inquiry. 2. The inquiry scope will be argued upon as some would want it to include Bakuwa’s death and further complicating the issue. 3. The findings will be argued upon and… Read more »