The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has demanded for the resignation of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director Martha Chizuma within 14 days for freeing Mr. Prince Kapondangaga on corruption charges.
In a letter to Chizuma, CDEDI has described the Bureau’s action as “the lowest ever we have gone as a country in the fight against corruption” and shocking.
“It is against this background that CDEDI, on behalf of well-meaning Malawians, writes you to immediately resign in order to save your integrity and at the same time save our taxes. Needless to inform you that the way the ACB has handled the Kampondangaga matter, Malawians don’t see the need to report corruption anymore.” Reads part of the letter signed by Sylvester Namiwa CDEDI Executive Director.
Kapondamgaga who got suspended from the post of State Residences Chief of Staff, was under investigations for allegedly receiving bribes inform of a Mercedes Benz S-Class 350d and other gifts from United Kingdom-based businessperson Zuneth Sattar.
However, in a press statement dated July 7, 2023, ACB indicated that it will not lay criminal charges against him as he had already surrendered the vehicle and had signed a restitution agreement with the bureau.
“After a review of the evidence against Mr Kapondamgaga in this case, evaluation of the information he provided in respect of the broader investigations relating to Zuneth Sattar and the restitution agreement he has voluntarily entered with the bureau, a prosecutorial discretion has been exercised not to lay criminal charges against him.” Said the bureau in a statement
ACB further made recommendation to the Office of the President and Cabinet to immediately review the Malawi Public Service Regulations in accordance with President Lazarus Chakwera’s directive on June 21, 2022 which if effected will see Kapondamgaga back in office to resume discharging duties as State Residences Chief of Staff.
But in its letter CDEDI alleges that ACB is being selective in application of justice citing that there are many people who were arrested by the bureau for receiving small amount of money.
CDEDI has cited a case involving Group Village Headwoman Mwawa in Mangochi who collected MK54, 000 from 54 beneficiaries of the 2022/2023 Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) and the case of Magret Mbandambanda, a police officer under the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for Limbe police station, who was arrested for receiving MK100,000 in order to grant bail to a suspect.
“Furthermore, the ACB’s deafening silence on the infamous MK250 billon East Bridge fertilizer deal is not only disturbing, but is also giving credence to speculations that you Madam, have resigned to fate, and you are just waiting for the expiry of your contract in June 2024, to leave office.” Added CDEDI letter
