Over 20 days after President Lazarus Chakwera sworn in a 12 member commission of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Martha Chizuma, the president has been served with the report which has been criticized for missing the target.
Last night the commission of inquiry presented the report to president Chakwera which contained findings and recommendations on the investigations of Chizuma’s arrest on the dawn of December 6, 2022 following a complaint by the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steve Kayuni. And the president instructed the Secretary to the President (SPC) to make the report public.
Among others, the Commission which was led by Retired Supreme Court of Appeal Justice Edward Twea recommended that an action must be taken against Chizuma because she committed an offence for discussing sensitive matters with a third party, a move described as a missing point by the populace who argued that the solely purpose of the commission of inquiry was to find who instructed the arrest of Chizuma.
According to the report, Chizuma lacked judgement in the leaked audio clip with the unknown individual hence a call for appropriate action against her conduct.
“The commission recommends that appropriate action be taken to deal with the conduct of the DG of the ACB in so far as the leaked is concerned. The commission recommends that employees that unlawfully disclose information must be investigated and disciplined,” read part of the statement.
The Commission has also said that in reference to the leaked audio, it is safe to say that Chizuma feels isolated and that she is own her own in intensifying the fight against corruption. Adding that there are serious mistrust issues among different offices mandated to fight corruption in the country.
“The commission deduced that [Chizuma] displayed a sense of being isolated. However, it was also evident that in her commitment to fight against corruption, she has not been able to carry along the critical offices that she needs to fight corruption. Consequently, she appears to be working alone and the fight against corruption has been compromised,” reads part of the report.
The Commission has therefore asked ACB to rebuild and reinforce partnership with other law enforcement agencies in as far as corruption fight is concerned.
On Kayuni, the Commission faulted him for taking his personal interests in the matter that affected his office.
The commission, therefore recommended that appropriate action be taken to deal with the conduct of Kayuni in the matter as it was found that he lacked sound judgement by prioritizing self-interests above the responsibilities of his office.
Reacting to the Commission of inquiry report, social commentator Onjezani Kenani described the report as useless and weapon used to ease her off.
“Looks like the Commission of Inquiry was instituted as a kangaroo court to find a way of crucifying the Director-General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Its terms of reference appear to have had very little to do with the arrest. These guys have always been looking for creative ways for dismissing her. So, most likely the whole arrest and assembling of the Commission was planned as a long strategic game for easing her out. Maybe finally they will get their wish,” said Kenani.
In his remarks outspoken activist Joshua Chisa Mbele said the report lacked diplomacy and is total rubbish adding that report conspired on removing Chizuma from ACB.
“For lack of Diplomacy, it’s total rubbish. This is naked evidence that collusion is possible in broad daylight. The Report main finding is that Martha Chizuma must be removed from ACB. Straight to the point: Mr. President, if you touch Martha, we will demonstrate till your government collapses. It is silently written all over that this report wants Martha removed before she touches MCP thieves. We can read between the lines. The art of protecting & shielding every others is very obvious. This was the waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Chisa Mbele.
He continued; “Something is dangerously flawed with our government. This cannot be true looking at the caliber of the people that were appointed to establish the truth.”
In January last year, an audio clip of a conversation between Chizuma and unknown individual was leaked in which she was discussing how the fight against corruption in the country is being frustrated by certain individuals in both government and private sections.
Kayuni said he felt offended by Chizuma’s judgement hence lodging a complaint against her to the police. On the dawn of December 6, police raided Chizuma’s house and arrested her but she was later released after a public uproar and President Chakwera ordered that all charges against her be dropped unconditionally.
According to Anthony Kasunda, president spokesperson, Chakwera is yet to make both short and long term decision in reference with the report findings and recommendations.
