US says Malawi corruption not contained: No sense of accountability at all govt levels’

The United States of America (USA)  is not satisfied with Malawi’s ongoing public sector reforms and fight against worsening corruption, saying government still needs to do more as there  is still “no sense of accountability on all government levels.”.

US Ambassador Virginia Palmer: Faults corruption fight

US Ambassador Virginia Palmer, speaking during a reception she hosted in Lilongwe to commemorate her country’s independence on July 4, said the Malawi Government needs to do more to ensure procurement regulations are being observed and that tighten controls to the public purse.

“I think that the bottom line is that there isn’t a sense of accountability at all government level,” said Palmer.

Palmer said if the controls are tighter, the taxpayers and development partners “could get a bang of results for the resources they invest.”

There remains a clear reluctance on the part of the Peter Mutharika government to act against corruption and, more specifically, to act against his allies in the cabinet who appear to have a case to answer as seems to be the situation with the former Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water George Chaponda.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Kasaila, who was the guest of honour during the USA’s 241st independence anniversary commemoration, said  the country is aware of the challenges it faces on graft.

“Everyone is aware about the issue of corruption, but it it one man’s fight? No. It requires all of us working together to be bale to successfully end or significantly reduce corruption,” said Kasaila.

Kasaila said Malawi is learning from America, among others in the areas of democracy, transparency, human rights and respect for the rule of law.

In this regard, he said Malawi is determined to promote good governance in the areas of fiscal and monetary discipline and accountability.

New British High Commissioner Holly Tett was recently quoted as saying her government would welcome authorities to be bolder in their anti-corruption fight by not interfering with the work of institutions such as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) .

University of Malawi political scientist and researcher Boniface Dulani is on record to have observed that efforts to strengthen anti-corruption institutions such as the ACB since Cashgate have not been successful and, instead, confidence in the governance institution continues to go down.

“Corruption has become so normal, at all levels of society, such that it is a waste of time reporting a suspected corrupt practice. ACB has a huge vacancy of investigators and when they investigate, prosecution is selective,” he said.

Dulani further noted that the perceptions that corruption is on the rise were correct, going by the reports that there was political interference in the completion of investigations on suspected corruption at public institutions such as the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom).

“This is not an ACB problem alone, it is political. When a whole ACB director says he will not continue investigations and has no explanations to make, then you know we have a problem. All this starts from the appointment of people into such institutions, knowing they could be removed anytime makes them align themselves to politicians,” he said.

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Harawara
Harawara
6 years ago

The solution is to replace the corruption government. Our democracy allows us to get rid corrupt leaders and government. No need to blame US and Europe for our sins. And you can not justify your corrupt practices because your donors too are corrupt. And mind you it us the poorest that feel the pains of corruption because we are the ones denied basic services. My request is let us go flat in the villages and towns and remind everyone about this government and its corrupt practices. If you we don’t do that this government I am afraid will remain in… Read more »

masa masina
masa masina
6 years ago

The war against corruption in Malawi can not be won because our social environment is fertile for corruptions. As people, we do not have the necessary culture capital to fight corruption. Instead, our culture values feeds corruption. No wonder corruption in Malawi is always thriving.

Chimunthu
6 years ago

Malawi is corrupt from the President down to the villagers. My wife’s sister was seriously ill and needed blood transfusions. On two occasions my wife sent money to help her. The money was received by her niece, Mrs Krissy Gundo of Blantyre, but she kept it and did not pass it on to my wife’s sister. She said my wife’s sister had received the blood transfusions and was much better to the extent that she was able to prepare her garden before the rains came. In fact the poor lady never received any blood and died shortly after. Even relatives… Read more »

Roland
Roland
6 years ago

Eya, mpaka ku church, koma Malawi watani kodi, thanks Medson for your posting comments on Immigration in recruitment scam. CORRUPTION WORSENS IN MALAWI, ST JOHN’S CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STAFF DEMANDS BRIBES FROM PARENTS. Reliable sources have confirmed to me that some staffs at St John’s Catholic School in area 36 Lilongwe are busy calling parents whose children have been selected to start form one to give them bribes to guarantee their places otherwise they are ready to replace them with others who will offer K80,000.00 to K100,000.00. Interestingly, the Institution administered examinations on 3rd June, 2017 to select the best… Read more »

Zambia maizegate
Zambia maizegate
6 years ago

This woman is confused and talks a lot of baloney. Exactly this time last year, she spoke at a conference on Agriculture in Lilongwe supporting the K12500 maize price which Chaponda and admarc had set. She said that was free market economics and the market had set the price. We know now that it was corruption with Kaloswe that had set the price. Vendors managed to sell local maize at cheaper prices.
Does she really know what she says? Or she was too eager to please her hosts. I wonder.

winston msowoya
winston msowoya
6 years ago

Mgoloso,don’t show your shallow mindedness in public.Yes,USA is also corrupt but,does not beg for food to feed its own people,it does not beg for funds to develop its nation you buffoon.No USA NO AFRICA.No wonder Mr.Mgoloso,Malawi is one of the poorest nations under our planet because of idiots like you.

Rift Valley
Rift Valley
6 years ago

Let us not beat about the bush. Kondowe, as arrogant as he is, and Kasaila, talking rubbish as he often does, have their hands tied. They can’t do anything. These two, and indeed all ministers, are not the problem. The main problem is the president himself who appears to be shielding someone, probably holding a trump card, who may spill the beans if pushed too far. The president holds a key to corruption issues. The country could make tremendous progress in its fight against corruption at a flick of his finger. What happened to the 13 files ACB released in… Read more »

Sexy Rexy
Sexy Rexy
6 years ago

Go figure… Malawians are being told to be more accountable while the U.S. State Department is headed by the former CEO of Exxon. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/13/world/americas/tillersons-company-exxon-mobil-follows-its-own-foreign-policy.html?mcubz=0

Mgoloso
Mgoloso
6 years ago

US is more corrupt than Malawi

Steve Gausi
Steve Gausi
6 years ago
Reply to  Mgoloso

That’s an understatement. The laws are written for the rich and powerful who finance campaigns in the U.S. The magnitude of corruption is actually quite impressive there. It just goes unnoticed because it is legislated.
Even among former Ambassadors who find cozy office chairs for energy companies, agribusiness, etc. post-“public service”, the spoils are non-trivial for those with connections in African governments and elsewhere in the private world. It’s a game, really.

benjones
6 years ago

But than why do you accept these corrupt people to hide their money you your countries in form of properties and huge bank accounts. Hunt them down and return all our money back, if you genuinely want to help the people of our country. We also demand action from you and not just big talks, mind you its also your tax payers money involved.

Zander mutiuze
6 years ago
Reply to  benjones

U are right. Europe and US know where these People hide money. Because the money is a gain for their banks they Will never review these people. Aid compare to what African leaders have put in western banks is nothing. So Aid does not bother. Talking is their ways. Malawians want their money these men or leaders have stolen. Not aid. We want to stop begging but u force us because its business for u.

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