By Myra Elias:
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has disclosed that it has recovered over K1 billion in assets linked to corruption.
The graft-busting body says the assets in question pertain to those that were affected by court orders as well as assets linked to convicted public officials.
ACB acting Director General Hillary Chilomba disclosed this during a press briefing held in Lilongwe Wednesday, when he gave an update on preparations for African Anti-corruption Day.
The day falls on July 11.
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Chilomba said the bureau would continue fighting corruption in tandem with the law.
“There has been a tendency of people believing [that] ACB makes arrests to make headlines but when we arrest an individual—it does not matter if it is a high case, duty bearers, or community level—if the law has been broken, arrests must follow,” Chilomba said.
He added that the body arrests suspects after getting court orders.
Chilomba was quick to say ACB was keen on adopting a people-centred approach to ensure that the fight against corruption is driven by the needs and concerns of Malawians.
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“We must protect the dignity of ordinary Malawians by confronting the everyday corruption that denies them basic services,” Chilomba said.
The body took advantage of the press briefing to discuss new initiatives that are expected to further strengthen its efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance in Malawi.
He said the bureau would launch Connect, a mobile application which would allow Malawians to report corruption incidents and monitor their case progress.
This year’s African Anti-Corruption Day will be held under the theme ‘Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption’, highlighting the importance of dignity and respect for human rights in the fight against corruption.
On that day, the bureau will donate food items to Mchinji District Hospital and engage with community members and duty bearers in a public forum to address pressing service delivery concerns.
However, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira has said the bureau no longer gives people a sense that it is committed to its work.
Kambwandira added that political will was the missing link.
He said the political will that the Tonse Alliance administration had demonstrated soon after the June 23, 2020 presidential election had waned.
