By Isaac Salima:
Analysts have differed on how the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has served Malawians as it commemorates 25 years of existence this year.
ACB has released a statement in which it has indicated that activities have been lined up as part of celebrating its existence, after it was established in 1995 but started its operations in 1998.
“We have to commend ACB for the work it has been doing for the past years, in terms of investigating and prosecuting corruption cases. You cannot achieve zero tolerance [on corruption] without challenges. We have to commend the reforms that have been done to ensure the independence of the institution.
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“What is needed, though, is to invest more in the institution in order to ensure that it has enough human resources to ably fulfil its mandate,” said Human Rights Defenders Coalition Chairperson Gift Trapence.
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National Coordinator for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace Boniface Chibwana described ACB’s silver jubilee journey as a mixed bag.
“If you look at how corrupt acts have escalated in the country, you would question if ACB has had any impact. We are conscious that ACB cannot do its job alone but, for the past years, we have seen lack of coordination between bodies entrusted to fight corruption in the country.
“For the past 25 years, we have also seen slow progress, in terms of ACB prosecuting those alleged to have been involved in corrupt acts. This is not good for the country as far as fighting graft is concerned,” Chibwana said.
Political commentator Victor Chipofya said he would rate ACB’s performance at 40 percent.
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“Unfortunately, the ACB has been used as a hunting dog to fight people who are against government officials. And that erodes the confidence that people have in it. That is why President [Lazarus] Chakwera did allude, during campaign, to the fact that he would reduce his powers of appointing the ACB director because he could objectively see that ACB operations were being compromised when its boss is appointed by the President.
“It is unfortunate that the President is yet to fulfil the pledge since being elected into power,” Chipofya said.
ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala said the body has tried to serve the public well.
“Previously, people had difficulties to understand our roles but we are pleased that, through the awareness we have been raising, the general public now knows why we are here. We are also pleased that we have managed to convince people to know that they have a role to play in fighting corruption,” Ndala said.
