Well-known musician Lucius Banda who is also Member of Parliament for Balaka North Constituency has hailed Traditional Authority Sitola of Machinga for openly accusing the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of favouring rich people when it comes to prosecution.

Chief Sitola who was the guest of honour at a sensitization meeting organized by ACB on Tuesday expressed shock on how the graft-busting body is operating in the country, saying prisons are full of poor people.

He said rich people arrested on corruption allegations are given bail on the same day but the poor struggle to get bail.

“You, ACB, are coming here to teach us the importance of avoiding corruption. Did cashgate take place here in the village? When it’s the rich, you investigate them for ten years, maybe even twenty. What truth do you exactly aim to establish with such investigations that go on forever?

“We know, it’s just a game you are playing. You ACB are, in fact, a tool for legitimising corruption. So don’t come here to teach us how not to be corrupt. Take your message someplace else!” said Sitola while attracting ululation from the people gathered at the event.

Sitola’s remarks attracted mixed reactions from Malawians on social media with many applauding him for speaking on behalf of the voiceless.

Writing on his official facebook page, Banda urged others chiefs to emulate T/A Sitola’s conduct.

“Great Chiefs of our time… let us spoil this man with gifts so that Others should know, that a Malawian chief can be this Admirable and not be a political idiot,” wrote Banda.

Meanwhile debate continues on the matter.