Civil Society Organizations Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Interdiction of ACB Director General
Civil Society Organizations Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Interdiction of ACB Director General
The Civil Society Organizations consider the interdiction to be dubious, arbitrary, and illegal under the laws in effect.
Civil Society Organizations Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Interdiction of ACB Director General
LILONGWE, MALAWI - Ten civil society organisations have expressed their shock and concern over Martha Chizuma, the director general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), being suspended recently.
The groups think the government's actions are akin to those taken in December 2022, when Madam Chizuma was detained without following the correct procedures and on the basis of untrue allegations.
The groups claim in a statement issued on Thursday that the suspension of Madam Chizuma is a result of the government's deliberate and systematic attempts to weaken the anti-corruption campaign.
The Civil Society Organizations consider the interdiction to be dubious, arbitrary, and illegal under the laws in effect.
The organisations are pleading with the President to give the Secretary to the President and Cabinet instructions to immediately lift the Director General's interdiction and to give the ACB unwavering support in its fight against corruption.
Furthermore, they demand that the newly appointed Director of Public Prosecution review the Chizuma file and make a public announcement about the course of action his office plans to take.
All Malawians are being urged by the organisations to defend democracy, justice, and the rule of law by holding duty bearers liable.
They contend that the war against corruption is a national conflict that demands the President's unwavering resolve and that it cannot be won if the various government agencies are working in opposition to one another.
The organisations have threatened to organise Malawians from all sides of the political divide to support justice and the rule of law through protests and other civil means if the President and government do not formally lift the interdiction by Monday, February 6, 2023.
“Should the President and government fail to formally withdraw the interdiction by Monday, 6th February, 2023, we will be compelled to mobilise Malawians across the divide to stand up for justice and the rule of law through demonstrations and other civil means,” says the statement from the organisations, in part.
Finally, the Civil Society Organizations demand that the President act swiftly in the public interest and denounce any manifestation of impunity or disrespect for the law.
See the statement below.
That's unfortunate to the CSOs because they want this country to be run under lawlessness. Chizuma is a civil servant and must. E interdicted if she is charged with criminal case.