ACB and Law Commission aim to shield whistle blowers from victimization and intimidation

Anti-Corruption Bureau and Malawi Law Commission have disclosed that they are developing new legislation law as an effective tool in protecting whistle blowers from victimization and intimidation by society.

In an interview after a Press briefing on Thursday in Lilongwe, Acting Director General for ACB, Hillary Chilomba said that protecting whistle blowers would play a vital role in fighting against corruption in the country.

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“We are making strides to come up with legislation that will be used as effective tool. What we are saying is that fighting against corruption is not actually supposed to be left out to ACB but actually it is supposed to be left to each and every citizen.

 “That’s why we are saying we need to protect a whistle blower and in this case those people who got information that they need to expose and after exposing, we have to investigate. If there is evidence we are supposed to protect,” he said.

Chilomba added that ACB was making stride in fighting against corruption in the country as the number of cases are being reported for investigation.

Director for Law Reform in Malawi Law Commission, Mike Chinoko said the new law would offer whistle blowers protection against victimization and oppression in the country.

“Whistle blower is potentially a witness because we do not have a specific law addressing the protection of whistle blower matters in Malawi,” he said.

Chinoko divulged that the laws that were enacted do not go further in actual protection of the whistle blower.

“We do have some laws about whistle blowing such as Financial Crimes Act, Corrupt Practices Act, Public Officers Declaration of Assets Act, Business Interest and liability Act and Access to Information Act but all they do is to mention that someone can make a report on corruption, on financial crimes,” he singled out.

Director of Corruption Prevention, Mary Phombeya said once the law was completed, ACB would raise awareness to public and guide it on how the law would be used for them to have the accurate knowledge.

She said the law would open great opportunity for the society to be free from pressure and desperation.

The law is expected to be launched in the end of this year.