ACB DG Martha Chizuma Arrest: Commission Releases Findings, Recommendations

Malawi: The office of the President and Cabinet in [Country] has released the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on the arrest of the director general (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Martha Chizuma.

The commission found that the police acted on a complaint from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Steve Kayuni, regarding a leaked audio involving an ACB official and another person.

However, the police made their own assumptions about who Kayuni was complaining against, as the complaint only referred to an ACB official, and no investigation was done before Chizuma's arrest.

The commission also found that Chizuma committed an offense by discussing sensitive matters with a third party, and that DPP Kayuni was not entitled to bring in personal interests in an issue that affected the office of the DPP.

The commission also found that the police used excessive force in arresting Chizuma.

They did not inform her where they were taking her, and did not make arrangements to involve female detectives while it was known that they were going to arrest a female person.

However, the commission found that Chizuma was not manhandled, and that some of the statements made in Parliament regarding the conduct of the police were exaggerated.

The commission also found that the presidential directive to release Chizuma unconditionally was not adhered to, as the police went on to caution her before releasing her on bail.

The commission also found that there are serious mistrust issues among the different offices mandated to fight corruption in the country.

In light of these findings, the commission has made several recommendations, including that the President take urgent action to restore the dignity, trust and integrity of the offices of the ACB DG, the Attorney General (AG) and the DPP.

The commission has also recommended that appropriate action be taken to deal with Chizuma's conduct in relation to the leaked audio.

Additionally, the commission has recommended that appropriate action be taken to deal with DPP Kayuni's conduct, as it was found that he lacked sound judgement by prioritizing self-interests above the responsibilities of his office.