As her tenure as Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General draws to a close, Martha Chizuma is reflecting on her leadership for the past three years in a paper titled ‘The Conundrum of Independence’, which she has co-authored with Christopher Stone, who is the Professor of Practice of Public Integrity at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government.
The paper reflects on her leadership amidst a backdrop of legal challenges and personal attacks.
The paper also describes Chizuma’s journey at the helm of ACB, which serves as a microcosm of the complexities and challenges faced by leaders in the fight against corruption.
Chizuma and Stone discuss the intricate balance between independence and interdependence for leaders of institutions tasked with combating corruption.
It also highlights the necessity for collaboration with various sectors while maintaining independence from those that are being investigated.
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The paper has indicated that while the ACB is designed to be independent, it remains subject to various governmental bodies and officials.
True to that observation, during Chizuma’s tenure of office, the intricate web of legal provisions and oversight mechanisms often tested the bureau’s autonomy.
The paper further indicates that the legal sphere has been a battleground for the ACB, as it navigated a landscape fraught with statutory dependencies and accountability measures.
Chizuma distinguishes three separate areas within which leaders of anti-corruption institutions can, and should, assert their independence: the legal, the personal and the public.
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The paper highlights that despite these prevalent challenges, Chizuma and her team remained steadfast, asserting the ACB’s authority in the face of alleged political pressures and legal scrutiny.
She has pointed out that during her tenure, the personal sphere presented its own set of trials.
Chizuma says leading an anti-corruption institution necessitates a delicate balance between independence and maintaining relationships with those in power.
“Chizuma’s tenure exemplified this tension as she strived to assert her autonomy while garnering public trust and support. Personal attacks, including attempts at private prosecutions based on leaked recordings, underscored the challenges faced by anti-corruption leaders on a personal level,” the paper reads.
The paper says in the public sphere, Chizuma worked tirelessly to cultivate support from various sectors of society and that building confidence among the public and rallying support for the ACB’s mission proved to be essential in navigating the turbulent waters of corruption eradication.
It adds that despite getting initial support from political figures, Chizuma understood the transient nature of such alliances, highlighting the importance of continually engaging with the public to maintain legitimacy.
According to the paper, Chizuma’s tenure serves as a testament to the complexities of anti-corruption leadership and the importance of cultivating independence across the legal, personal and public spheres.
She acknowledges the conundrum of independence faced by anti-corruption leaders, observing that balancing legal authority, personal integrity and public support is no easy feat, yet it is essential for effectively combating corruption.
The lessons learned from Chizuma’s book highlight the necessity of building resilience, fostering public trust and navigating the intricate web of legal and political challenges inherent in the fight against corruption.
When The Daily Times asked the ACB chief if the paper were a way of saying ‘goodbye’, Chizuma said her tenure would end in a few weeks.
“Well, the fact is that my three-year contract is expiring on May 31st [2024]. A few weeks from now! If they don’t renew [it], this is bye!” Chizuma said.
Meanwhile, Transparency Initiative Director of Planning Nicholas Mwisama has said Chizuma’s tenure at ACB can best be described as one that started with a hard take-off and continues on a hard landing.
“She enjoyed support from the public but that was the only egg she could count in her basket. Unfortunately, for one to deliver in her position, it goes way beyond public support.
“Her position requires coordination and collaboration with systems and institutions, an area in which she did not do well. This is largely due to the adversarial approach, coupled with working in isolation. As a result, she met resistance and enjoyed no meaningful political will. This frustrated her delivery. And, in my view, it will be surprising if they renew her contract,” Mwisama said.
On his part, economic commentator Velli Nyirongo said Malawians had high hopes on Chizuma, but that her time in charge has shown people that fighting corruption cannot be done by one person alone.
“We haven’t won the fight against corruption yet. We need to find ways to step up our efforts, not give up,” Nyirongo said.
