Malawi President Unaware of ACB Director General's Arrest

Malawi — President Lazarus Chakwera has admitted that he was not aware of the arrest of the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Martha Chizuma, around 4 a.m. on December 6, 2022, writes Esther Banda.

He made this admission in response to questions from Members of Parliament on February 28th, 2023.

Chakwera stated that his lack of knowledge of the arrest was the reason he had appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter.

However, this admission has raised concerns from opposition leaders who believe that it indicates a lack of control by the government.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa, expressed his concern, stating that if the President was not aware of the arrest, it suggested that he was not in control of his government.

He further criticized the President for failing to address the issue of insecurity in the country, despite the increase in armed robberies and gun violence.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Homeland Security, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma, assured the public that there would be significant changes in Malawi's security system and that citizens would witness a transformed police force that would better protect them.

The arrest of the ACB Director General has generated significant public interest in Malawi, and the government's response to the matter will be crucial to restoring confidence in its anti-corruption efforts.