Lawyer Alleges Corruption Scheme as Malawi President Reinstates ACB Head
Theu's explosive allegations describe a systematic attempt to paralyse the anti-corruption agency through strategic personnel manipulations.
LILONGWE, Malawi— As prominent lawyer Bright Theu accused the government of deliberately undermining the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), it has been learnt that President Lazarus Chakwera quietly reappointed Hilary Chilomba as acting director general two days ago amid an ongoing qualification investigation, writes Winston Mwale.
Theu's explosive allegations describe a systematic attempt to paralyse the anti-corruption agency through strategic personnel manipulations.
"The whole machination started with more brazen steps: harassing and even arresting the anti-corruption czar [Martha Chizuma] while making public stunts pretending to support her," Theu wrote in a public statement on his Facebook wall.
Presidential Press Secretary Anthony Kasunda defended the reappointment of Chilomba two days ago, stating it would allow the Ombudsman to complete an independent investigation into the shortlisting process for top leadership positions.
The investigation focuses on Chilomba and Counsel Oscar Taulo's qualifications for the director general role.
"This reappointment will allow for the conclusion of the Ombudsman's independent investigation into whether the process for the shortlisting of candidates complied with the law," Kasunda said.
Theu argued that the administration's actions appear calculated to render the ACB ineffective, suggesting an ultimate goal of creating public sentiment for the agency's potential closure.
He specifically criticised the non-renewal of previous leadership contracts and the appointment of what he termed "less than up-to-the-task personnel" in acting capacities.
Chilomba's reappointment addresses a legal constraint in the Corrupt Practices Act, which limits an acting director's tenure to six months. Her previous mandate had expired just days before the reinstatement.
Concluding his critique with the Latin phrase "Senseless thunder! Brutum fulmen!"—translating to "meaningless threat"—Theu accused the administration of undermining anti-corruption efforts through bureaucratic manoeuvres.
Neither the government nor Chilomba has directly responded to Theu's specific allegations.
The investigation's outcome remains pending, with no additional details currently available.