Some Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) led by Philip Kamangila have petition the National Assembly to summon Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Reyneck Matemba on the botched Ambulance deal involving Ministry of Health.
This has been disclosed in a petition sent to the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament and copied to Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara, leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda and leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa.
In the petition, the CSOs also want Matemba to explain to Malawians how ACB is pursuing with the cement-gate scandal involving former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
Below is the petition;
CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS PETITION TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament
The Speaker of National Assembly, Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara.
Leader of Government, Hon. Richard Chimwendo Banda Leader of Opposition, Hon. Kondwani Nankhumwa
PETITION TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR NEED TO SUMMON THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU DIRECTOR TO CLARIFY ON CERTAIN MATTERS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
The Civil society leaders having noted the responsibilities of providing checks and balances through unstoppable oversight in a democratic state of the Republic of Malawi, hereby submit this Petition to the National Assembly in order to request the August House to summon the Anti- Corruption Bureau Director to clarify on certain matters of national importance that are related to corruption.
We recognize the role the Anti- Corruption Bureau play in its effort to fight corruption in this country.
Perceiving that the economic stoppage is further cuddling the ordinary citizens into massive and enormous poverty therefore refuting their rights as preserved in the Republican Constitution Eliciting our thoughts on the theme “time to hold office bearers accountable on their actions
Reaffirmed our commitment to respect and protect human rights and other values of democracy and good governance:
We submit this Petition to the National Assembly, calling the August house to summon the ACB Director to appear before the Legal Affairs Committee in order to clarify some issues that are in the Public domain but related to corruption
Recognizing the call by the Government of Malawi for increased attention to the issues affecting ordinary Malawians in different ways.
We submit this petition in order to bring to your attention that on the 10th September, 2020, the Nation Newspaper carried an advert under the title “NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT”. The notice indicates that the Ministry of Health intends to award a contract to supply and deliver 35 ambulances (Lot.1) to a successful bidder by the name Grandview International Limited, whose address is Reliance House, Plot No. 35374, Thabo Mbeki Road, Lusaka, ZAMBIA.
As Civil society Leaders, we are equally aware that Malawi has potential companies and individuals who can afford to deliver on the same and therefore any attempt to award this contract to a foreign national is denying Malawians an opportunity to economically succeed.
While we commend the ACB on the steps taken on the same as evident by the notice to the Secretary for Health to produce or furnish the documents to ACB, dated 11th September, 2020, we would like to call upon Parliament to allow the ACB Director to appear before the Legal Affairs Committee and assure Malawians that this contract is cancelled entirely and such decision be made available to the Public and those involved must face the long arm of the Law.
We further wish to understand the position of the Anti- Corruption Bureau on Mr. Chunara who happens to be involved in a cement corruption saga. Every Malawian is eager to know what has transpired on this person from the time he was arrested, appeared in Court and given bail.
As Malawians we have not been told as to how far this matter has gone. We are afraid the Tonse government may also engage the same person in some dubious contractual agreements which may compromise the work of the ACB in their fight against corruption. Against this background, this submission is made.
On another serious note, we would like to ask the ACB to tell Malawians how long they have gone in investigating the immediate past Former Head of State, His Excellency Professor Peter MUTHARIKA. We are aware that the police conducted its investigations on the former Head of State and until now Malawians have not yet been furnished with any information.
The Anti- Corruption Bureau went further in freezing all accounts of the former Head of State and no grounds for such action have been given. Could this be done on the basis of suffocating him politically? If not what are the charges levelled against him so that it doesn’t seem to be a political persecution.
We would also like to call upon the ACB to report to Malawians efforts taken on current Government’s perceived matters that demonstrate lack of transparency and accountability on:
• The outrageous and obscene MK7.6 Billion Legal fee award by the Supreme Court to Dr. Chilima and Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who happens to be the Head of State and Vice President respectively
• Inform Malawians if it is logical in nature for the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to approve this paying having in mind they are also serving the current administration.
• Money that was allocated for National Celebrations on 6th July, 2020 that ended up being cancelled due to Covid 19. Who made the banners that were displayed everywhere in the city of Lilongwe and what process was used to award such a contract and at how much?
• The alleged MK5 Billion contract to renovate State Residents.
• Procurement of the Lilongwe City Council vehicle which raises huge
suspicion looking at the alleged price
• ACB must also come out on the allegations that all Tonse MPs had an audience with the President soon after being sworn in and that everyone went smiling after being given some cash amounting to MK500, 000 each. Where did this money come from and what was the basis for such a hand out when it is against the tonse government to maintain handouts.
Call to Action
We are hereby calling on Parliament to take these concerns with seriousness and that efforts are made to summon the Anti- Corruption Bureau Director within the next 7 days so that Malawians are fully informed on steps by ACB as requested by the Civil Society Leaders.
That the leadership of the Anti- Corruption Bureau will honor this call knowing as a governance institution, it strives to serve the aspirations of Malawians through creation of an environment that is free from corruption.
This petition is in line with citizens ambitions to operate in an enabling environment in order to contribute efficiently to national building and that it is unfair for the citizens to have no voice on matters that are directly upsetting and denying them a right to decent life and development.
Signed:
Billy Banda
Unandi Banda
Luther Mambala
Philip Kamangirah
Dated: 14th September, 2020
