By Pemphero Malimba:
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has re-advertised the position of Director General (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), The Daily Times has learnt.
The ministry has re-advertised the job in local newspapers, in which it has indicated that applicants have up to January 6, 2025 to submit application letters and documents.
The ministry firstly advertised the ACD DG job last year after it fell vacant following the expiry of the working contract of former ACB boss Martha Chizuma in May of that year.
According to information released on the ministry’s official Facebook page yesterday, the ministry will, after receiving application documents, conduct a shortlisting exercise to identify suitable candidates who eventually undergo interviews to assess their competence and integrity.
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“The ministry then submits a list of recommended names to the President of the Republic of Malawi who makes the final appointment to ensure the bureau’s leadership is secured,” the communication reads.
The ministry indicates that the ACB DG serves a three-year contract, renewable once subject to satisfactory performance.
Then former ACB deputy DG Hillary Chilomba took over in acting capacity before Gabriel Chembezi took over in acting capacity a month ago.
The first advert which was also published in the local papers, saw the ministry receiving 36 applications out of which only 11 were shortlisted and invited for interviews.
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The 11 included Chilomba and private-practice lawyer Oscar Taulo.
However, the Office of the Ombudsman (OoO) directed the ministry to disqualify Chilomba and Taulo from the ACB DG job recruitment process as it allegedly found out, through its investigations, that there was maladministration in their shortlisting and interviewing of the job.
OoO also directed the ministry to disqualify other candidates who were not qualifying for the job and recruit a new DG from the remaining list.
At that time, Ombudsman Grace Malera said the two did not qualify for the job based on some of the job requirements.
Commenting on the development, National Anti-Corruption Alliance Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the development showed the government’s commitment to restoring full leadership and stability at ACB. “The re-advertisement demonstrates renewed commitment by the government to uphold due process, legality and transparency in filling this critical position,” Kaiyatsa said.
