Centre for Social Accountability (CSAT) has underscored the need to expedite the process of having a comprehensive whistleblower protection law to effectively fight corruption in the country.
The organisation’s Executive Director Willie Kambwandira made the remarks during a panel discussion held in Lilongwe marking the Anti-Corruption Day.
While acknowledging the efforts undertaken to fight the vice in the country, he expressed concern over delays in finalizing corruption cases.
He further cited questionable deployments of officers to the Anti-Corruption (ACB), discontinuance of corruption cases and the arrest of its former Director General Martha Chizuma.
It’s now seven months with the graft busting agency operating without a Director.
He indicated that much as the ACB is independent, the situation on the ground paints another picture citing how the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) discontinued cases which the Bureau was pursuing.
The CSAT Director noted this speaks volumes on the need to do more to make it independent beyond the amendment of the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA).
Kambwandira also highlighted the challenges brought about by the delays in enacting the Whistleblower’s Protection Policy.
“You could tell that people are frightened; they are not at the moment able to report corruption cases largely it’s because they are afraid. We have seen how people who took an active role in reporting corruption in cases got victimized.
“So that might remind us the need to move with speed to make sure that we have a comprehensive whistle blower protection law so that we encourage people to report and take an active role in fighting corruption”
On the other hand, he acknowledged the gains made over the years stating the increase in budget to accountability institutions.
Kambwandira challenged the youths that being in the majority, there is need for them to demand accountability from the law enforcement agencies and join forces because corruption affects every aspect of life and the youths are perhaps the worst affected group.
The Director said if there is corruption, there will obviously be no jobs for the youths, the quality of education will be compromised hence the need for them to take an active role.
An alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) a US Premier Exchange programme which focuses on accountability in government, he stressed on the need to cultivate a culture of transparency and accountability which takes time arguing people must not give up but continue with efforts to fight corruption.
“We’ll win this when people stand up and subject these institutions to accountability. It’s high time that Malawians and the youth in particular started demanding accountability from law enforcement agencies so only when we do that, we’ll celebrate”
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