By Cathy Maulidi:
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Deputy Director General (DG) Hillary Chilomba has been appointed acting DG.
According to a statement signed by ACB principal public relations officer Egrita Ndala, the appointment is in accordance with Section 8 of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Chilomba has been made acting DG following the expiry of Martha Chizuma’s contract.
“The ACB appreciates and values the great work and commitment shown by the former director general Ms Martha Chizuma in leading Malawians in the fight against corruption. The ACB is assuring stakeholders that all its operations are continuing,” the statement reads.
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Commenting on the issue of appointment, Public Appointments Committee (Pac) of Parliament Chairperson Joyce Chitsulo said the ACB is in the right hands.
The committee interviewed Chilomba when he was appointed deputy DG.
“First of all, let me thank the former director for doing her part. On behalf of Pac, I wish her well. Secondly, yes, ACB is in the right hands. We interviewed the deputy and confirmed his appointment because we, as a committee, were convinced that he is capable and we knew that, in the absence of the director, the deputy would come in. So, we are okay.
“However, let me urge the OPC [Office of the President and Cabinet] to make sure the process of recruiting a substantive director is done with urgency. We don’t want a situation where we have someone acting forever. After 21 days, the President [Lazarus Chakwera] is supposed to inform the committee why he has not filled the position and propose when he will do so. But the period should not exceed three months,” Chitsulo said.
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On his part, human rights activist Gift Trapence said “Malawians expect him to be professional”.
