Social media commentator Joshua Chisa Mbele has shared his thoughts on President Lazarus Chakwera’s upcoming nation address.
In a post on social media, Mbele lays out a list of “cardinal mistakes” that he believes the President should avoid, including adopting any recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry that were not included in the terms of reference and thanking them for their work.
Instead, Mbele suggests that the President should take steps to regain the lost confidence of the people, such as firing the Minister of Homeland Security, transferring certain officials to different positions, and rebuilding the confidence of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which Mbele believes has been “bruised” by recent events.
Mbele’s comments reflect the high expectations and scrutiny that President Chakwera’s address will face as the nation awaits to hear what actions he will take in response to the inquiry’s findings and recommendations.
President Chakwera is expected to address the nation this morning on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances leading to the arrest of Anti-Corruption Bureau chief, Martha Chizuma.
The inquiry, which was instituted almost two weeks ago, failed to provide a clear answer on who ordered Chizuma’s arrest.
President Chakwera had previously promised to take further action based on the inquiry’s report and recommendations.
Among the recommendations, the report suggested disciplinary measures for Chizuma following her leaked audio conversation with Anderson Mwakyelu.
It remains to be seen what further action Chakwera will take on Chizuma, as he had previously described her as a “true fighter” and “courageous woman” in his January 2022 address.
This address will be a crucial test of Chakwera’s commitment to launching a crackdown on corruption in the country.
Some reports have suggested that Chizuma’s arrest was intended to frustrate her efforts to investigate corruption involving government officials.
The arrest also attracted the attention of donors and development partners, with the United States government threatening economic sanctions and travel bans for those involved in her arrest.