National Alliance Against Corruption sounds alarm on ACB’s leadership vacuum
Mkandawire: We cannot leave that position vacant
National Alliance Against Corruption is questioning the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, citing the delay in the appointment of the Anti-Corruption Bureau-ACB director general.
Despite acknowledging the efforts of Acting Director General Hilaly Chilomba, the organization’s chairperson, Moses Mkandawire, is emphasizing the need for a swift appointment to ensure smooth operations and compliance with the law.
Currently, I know that there is an acting, you know, director general, but if he is not confirmed, if there’s no person who’s occupying such positions, even when it comes to decision making within the ACB, may not be the same as it would have been assuming somebody was there full time” Mkandawire said.
The ACB’s Director General Position has been vacant since May 31, 2024, when Martha Chizuma’s contract expired.
Chilomba was appointed as Acting DG in June 2024, but according to Section 6B of the Corrupt Practices Act, an acting DG can only serve for six months.
This means the bureau is currently without a DG, crippling its operations since some critical functions require the DG’s authority.
Mkwandawire warns that the fight against corruption might stagnate.
“We cannot leave that position vacant or not to have a substantive position, as it were. I think that only tells us that we are not as serious as we ought to be. I think what we’ve been doing is rhetoric, and it’s very unfortunate, given the fact that corruption has become so pervasive in our country, and we needed somebody who can steer the process of raising awareness. influencing people,” Mkandawire added.
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