Press Release
Malawi’s Sata-nic Corruption Morbus
A shameless State Capture
Preamble
The Council for NGOs in Malawi, within its representative and convening functions of all
NGOs in Malawi,would like to provide and add its voice of commendation,
encouragement, desire and solidarity in the fight against corruption in Malawi. This
comes on the heels of serious, colossal and shameful revelations of abroad based and
deep-rooted corruption cartel that has been selfishly milking poor Malawians of their
resources and a future, as expounded in the national address by His Excellency, Dr.
Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera,President of the Republic of Malawi on Tuesday 21 June
Our sadness on the revelations
CONGOMA is deeply saddened by these alleged corruption revelations, particularly on
the basis that:
1.Just a decade ago in 2013, Malawi experienced another massive plunder of
public funds, in what was then popularly known as “CashGate”. What remains
more shocking and infuriating is the fact that even before Malawi could fully
recover, nor at least draw lessons from the effects of this plunder, another bomb
of allegations is imploding. In actual sense, this sadly means that “CashGate”
has actually continued to-date, in one form or the other.
2.It is a betrayal of the highest order against the State and the nation of Malawi,
looking at the high ranking names and strategic offices allegedly involved (i.e. the
Vice Presidency, State Houses, Chairmanship of Public Procurement and
Disposal of Assets, office of the Inspector General of Malawi Police Service,
Reserve Bank of Malawi, the Judiciary, Civil Society, Political Parties, Media and
many more), as highlighted in this scam expose. Should these allegations be
substantiated as true, CONGOMA will advocate for treason charges against the
culprits just as the heinous “Cash Gate” should have been.
3.It is sad that some people could go to such length sin deliberately and
systematically planning to dupe this country, especially when Malawians,
Malawian businesses, foreign investors continue to toil through thick and thin to
pay the high taxes through their nose in very difficult economic circumstances,
a biding by the law. It is even more heartbreaking when development partners are
relentlessly bringing in aid in form of grants and loans to help Malawians get out
of poverty. No wonder, Malawi remains at pains with nothing to show for all the
grants and loans gotten, let alone the taxes collected, after 58 years of self-rule when over 52% of the population still lives in abject poverty.
Our commendation
CONGOMA commends:
1.His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the President of the Republic of
Malawi for not “sitting on the report” from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and
for at least being decisive in providing the needed level-headed leadership in this
fight against corruption.
2.The Anti Corruption Bureau for producing the report within the 21 days timeline
of the ultimatum by the Head of State. This shows that the ACB has the capacity
and skills and that they can do much better if all stakeholders support them.
3.The Anti Corruption Bureau for being bold and courageous to rise amidst the
pressures and doing the needful to inform Malawians on this issue and to
resolutely soldier on until this fight is won.
Our appeal
CONGOMA appeals to:
1.His Excellency Dr .Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera to sustain the political will and
tough stance against corruption and continue updating Malawians on the
progress of this issue on regular basis.
2.The Anti Corruption Bureau to at least reveal (as the report has done with other
institutions it has mentioned as being involved in this scam) the Civil Society
Organizations that are involved in this case.
- All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Development Partners to
provide the ACB with moral, financial, technical or material support that they may
need in pursuit of justice in this case.
4.Anti Corruption Bureau to take these cases to Court as quickly as possible for
trial.
5.The Directorate of Public Prosecutions to, above all else, put Malawi first and
grant the necessary consents accordingly.
6.The Judiciary to expedite the cases once they are brought before them.
7.Malawians to be vigilant against any plunder, of their hard-earned public
resources, and support the Anti-Corruption Bureau to bring the alleged cartel to
book.
8.Civil Society and NGOs to always put Malawi first, advocating for the rule of law
and supporting the President and ACB in this fight.
Conclusion
CONGOMA feels that the fight against corruption in Malawi is winnable, to a larger
extent, if all stakeholders genuinely work together in putting Malawi first. The sustained
political will and the financial and technical support to the ACB remains key to winning
this battle with an efficient judicial process. CONGOMA remains totally committed to
working with the Government of Malawi in the fight against this vice.
A corrupt free Malawi is possible.
Kossam Jomo Munthali
CHAIRPERSON