MALAWI: Catholic Bishops Say Corruption Responsible for Untold Suffering
By Joseph Kayira and Stella Zulu
Barely a day after the quasi-religious body, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) told President Lazarus Chakwera that contradictions in the fight against corruption have cast doubt on his political will to deal with the vice, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has echoed the sentiments saying “the cancer of corruption, sadly now embedded in Malawi, is largely responsible for keeping this country very poor and underdeveloped.”
In the ECM statement titled ‘A call for Relentless Fight Against Corruption’ released on 19th January 2022, the Bishops say corruption is a difficult vice to fight because it has taken deep roots everywhere in Malawi. They added that corruption is causing untold suffering for the vast majority of ordinary Malawians “who have to face crushing poverty on a daily basis.”
“And sadly, even many of those tasked to fight and eliminate corruption are too often sucked into it. But occasionally, there are people who risk everything by standing up to corruption,” reads the statement in part, which has been signed by Most Rev. Thomas Msusa who is ECM President and Archbishop of Blantyre, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka the ECM Vice-president and Bishop of Karonga, Most Rev. George Tambala the Archbishop of Lilongwe and Apostolic Administrator of Zomba, Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa Bishop of Chikwawa, Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima the Bishop of Mangochi, Rt. Rv. John Ryan the Bishop of Mzuzu and Rt. Rev. Peter Chifukwa, Bishop of Dedza.
The bishops statement comes after PAC executive members had an interface meeting with President Chakwera in Blantyre where they raised a number of concerns including government’s selective justice in the way it was handling cases involving senior government officials and powerful businesspersons named corruption scandals.
The anti-graft fight faces challenges and is under threat as funding woes have hit the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). One of Malawi’s leading dailies, The Nation reported on Tuesday, 18 January 2022 that the ACB was facing hurdles in its operations due to erratic funding. The ACB had its annual funding increased from K3 billion to K5 billion, a move that many viewed as government’s commitment to deal with corruption.
The Nation in its front-page story headlined ‘Funding woes cripple ACB’ reported that some investigators have resorted to using their personal money for official operations for the sake of efficiency.
ACB Principal Public Relations officers Egritta Ndala told the Daily that “besides, there are some operations like court cases which involve other stakeholders and cannot wait for the Bureau officers to receive allowances. The officers do that out of commitment to ensure that the Bureau operates; if they were to wait for payments, there would be less output at the end of the day.”
ECM has since appealed to President Chakwera to ensure security of ACB, especially its Director-General Martha Chizuma, whose house was broken into some days ago, according to media reports.
“No one should be pressurized, intimidated or influenced by threats or any other means in the carrying out of their work for the good of the country. We plead, in the interest of building a more just and transparent Malawi that benefits all its citizens, that any of the investigations or cases which the ACB is dealing with are not in any way obstructed or influenced.
“Let no suspect, however powerful, wealthy or who their connections are, be shielded or protected provided that he or she is given proper recourse to the legal processes of the courts. Let State institutions which were ultimately established for the good of all Malawians and those entrusted to carry out their objectives for the good of all not become themselves agents of darkness by failing to defend and promote the common good,” the ECM statement said.
The Bishops added that too often these institution and individuals have betrayed the trust of the people and acted in ways which have further embedded systemic corruption and frustrated the fight against it.
ECM further calls on the Judiciary to ensure professionalism in handling corruption cases to avoid loss of public trust.
“The judiciary has a key role to play in the fight against corruption. We appeal to the judiciary to ensure that cases regarding corruption are expedited and that everyone is seen to be treated fairly and similarly before the law. This builds public confidence that the judiciary too, is playing its role in a constructive way in the fight against corruption.” Continues the statement.
The ECM further calls on the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) and other Civil Society Organizations to help the general public to never accept corruption as part of life in Malawi. The bishops have also asked Malawians to play their part in the fight against corruption and stop demanding handouts from politicians which leads to corruption.
On its part, PAC, while applauding Chakwera for some positive strides in his anti-corruption drive, recent developments involving the Cabinet Ministers named in corrupt practices have put the new administration in bad light.
“Your ability to let the ACB and other enforcement agencies to arrest Cabinet Ministers and a presidential aide cemented the ray of hope that there was strong political will. However, contradictions have emerged in the manner you have treated Minister of Energy, Newton Kambala, and Minister of Lands Kezzie Msukwa, on allegations of corruption as compared to the way you fired Minister of Labour Hon Ken Kandodo,” PAC Chairman Monsignor. Patrick Thawale said.
Msgr. Thawale urged the President to avoid use of selective justice in treating Cabinet Ministers – “especially on issues you are able to make decisions.”
Meanwhile, the Civil Society has also asked President Chakwera to fire Cabinet Ministers named in the scandals. One such organization, Youth and Society led by Charles Kajoloweka has given a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Lands [Msukwa] to resign.
“We believe that your resignation is the first significant step in ensuring justice and accountability in this corruption case, and in curing a climate impunity in your ministry,” Kajoloweka said.
However, the embattled Msukwa said he will not resign as he is not on trial following a court order he obtained.
“These people don’t understand the law. There is a court order which is in effect; I am not on trial yet, so why should I resign,” he said.
In a statement, State House press secretary, Anthony Kasunda said President Chakwera is evaluating his ministers and would not shield anyone, adding the president would decide on Msukwa at an appropriate time.
