The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma has said there is need to change systems in various institutions in order to effectively deal with corruption in the country.
Chizuma made the remarks in Lilongwe during High Level Delegation Key Experts on Corruption.
She said looking back at the 25 years the bureau has been in existence, Malawi has not done enough in the fight against corruption because the system remains the same.
“It is about installing systems in our institutions that are corrupt resistant. We change heads of state, ministers and directors in various institutions but corruption remains because we are just changing the people and we are leaving the systems and structures that enforce the corruption,” she said.
Chizuma further challenged the general public to pay attention to the kind of leaders being elected into positions in terms of how that view corruption.
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“Maybe going forward, this goes to the public: let us continue improving the quality of politicians we have because the fight against corruption largely depends on them,” she said.
One of the panellists, Malawi Law Society president Patrick Mpaka agreed with Chizuma, adding that while mindset change is important, actions are better than words.
Mpaka said he is of the view that encouraging professional bodies to take a leading role in the fight against corruption will help deal with the cases.
“While I agree with teaching the youngsters on ethics, showing them how to live life is a better example. Example is better, we can teach them and act different. Words will be in vain if we act different.
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“For example, we all know the ACB Director was arrested in the middle of the night. These youngsters see these things. We all know there was a big case involving the former president. Years later, we were told it was dropped and the youngsters see this. So I personally believe that professional bodies must push the fight against corruption,” he said.
Chairperson of the National Integrity Committee Jeff Kabondo said the general public will be motivated to join the cause if there are fruits of the fight.
“When you look at the 25 years that ACB has been around for, one question that we must ask ourselves is if there has been value in the fight against corruption.
“People will join in an endeavor when they see there has been some winning,” he said.
