AS the anti-corruption drive reaches unprecedented levels bigwigs from both the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and those in positions of authority in the new Tonse administration are mounting pressure on the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) boss, Martha Chizuma, who has vowed to leave no stone unturned in her anti-graft fight.
This comes at the time when the bigwigs from across the political divide are now under her radar, facing possible arrests over corruption charges.
Chizuma is leading an investigation into which a cartel involving government ministers, politicians, judges, journalists and other members of the elite are implicated.
Since her appointment, the no-nonsense graft-busting body director has brought to court several high-profile cases which in the past could not have ever seen the light of day.
Chizuma has taken officials both from the former regime and the incumbent Tonse Alliance to task over corruption allegations. A former cabinet minister Newton Kambala, a former presidential Advisor Chris Chaima Banda and Enoch Chihana a president for Alliance for Democracy, a Tonse Alliance partner, are all in court facing various corruption charges after being implicated in the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) tender scandal.
However, what has irked bigwigs from across the political divide and several senior government officials, is her push to unearth an illicit web of corruption that will see current and past government officials sinking over unprocedural awards of government tenders to Zunneth Sattar.
The ongoing investigation will also see senior police and army officials being dragged into the mud over the controversial tenders that ran from the past to the current administration without scrutiny.
“She has ruffled feathers of so many bigwigs who, over time were untouchable,” said a local political commentator who requested anonymity.
“Those whose hands were found in the cookie jar are quaking in their boots because such a case has the potential to collapse the whole government system.”
“Talk within the corridors of power is that Chizuma has to be stopped before it is too late,” the commentator said.
“The only problem in our hands right now is that the British are sponsoring the investigations so it is now beyond her.”
The Independent Digest sought comments from the British High Commission over their role in the fight against corruption in Malawi.
In an email to The Independent Digest, the acting British High Commissioner Fiona Ritchie said: “The UK’s development strategy in Malawi focuses not just on alleviating poverty but also on tackling corruption and helping Malawi build robust institutions.”
“Through the Targeting Serious and Organised Corruption program, the UK has been supporting the Malawian authorities to investigate serious and organized corruption since the Cashgate scandal of 2013,” she said.
“The UK is paying for international expert prosecutors and investigators to provide advice to the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau and other law enforcement agencies (Financial intelligence authority and Director of Public Prosecutions),” Ritchie said.
The United States of America’s Department of State added its voice in the fight against corruption in Malawi after announcing 12 anti-corruption champions including Chizuma.
A couple of weeks ago Chizuma flexed her muscles and issued restriction notices to Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and Malawi Police Service (MPS), stopping the two institutions from dealing with four companies, namely, Malachitte FZE, Xaviar, Xelite Strips LTD and Crimson Trading.
Political commentator George Phiri said Chizuma is the only person who is geared to fight corruption sincerely and this is a cause for concern for many political actors.
“She has already shown that she means serious business and she now needs support even from the civic societies in the country,” Phiri said.
Phiri also said Chizuma has shown that she is a strong character who will not be shaken by threats from political bigwigs.
“The question to ask ourselves is who are those threatening or baying for her blood. Obviously, we are talking about those who presided in the controversial tenders and those who never questioned such tenders even when they took over the offices,” he said.
Another observer said ministers from both DPP and the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and its Tonse partners have enjoyed corruption proceeds at the expense of the poor tax payers.
“You wrote, in one of your editions about fat cats. Those who are milking the economy. Those are the very same people who do not want Chizuma to perform her mandated job because she will expose them.”
Commenting on potential threats, in one of the big interviews in The Independent Digest Chizuma said: “I don’t think there is a person who can say they do not get frightened or intimidated at times. However, as for me one thing I guard against in as far as my career is concerned is not to let such threats determine my action.”
She added “there is also truth, decency, fairness justice patriotism and other virtues which you cannot really put monetary value on them. Moreover, you need to keep in mind that very few people benefit from corruption. Larger part of the population is actually hurt by it and the country is generally bleeding as a result of corruption.”
“This majority and the country generally are totally fed up with corruption. So, in answering your question yes, I am ready to be on the side of the majority, my country, and on the side of virtues that last.”
This week she announced that she is going to probe corruption in the Agriculture Input Programme (AIP) for the 2020/2021 season. According to her, the Bureau has already opened thirty case files in relation to the selling of fertilizer and other inputs under the program.
Jeff Kabongo, National Coordinator of Integrity platform a transparency and accountability non-governmental organisation warns of the consequences in interfering into functions of the ACB.
“Graft busting bodies should be provided a space to allow them to perform their duties as provided by the law. It is imperative that no one interferes in their actions as long as they are acting according to the law,” says Kabondo, whose organisation is the local agency for Transparency International.
He further advises Chizuma to bring to book, everyone whose activities borders on corruption regardless of political affiliations. He adds “if there is interference then the whole fight against corruption will be useless”.
