By Solister Mogha
Zomba, Mana: Director General for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Martha Chizuma has appealed to Malawians to work with the institution in the fight against corruption.
She made the appeal Tuesday in Zomba during the launch of Anti-corruption awareness month under the theme: integrity, key to a corruption free Malawi.
Chizuma said corruption is evil and has, for many years, robbed off Malawians of crucial social services.
“The fight against corruption is not only for ACB; everyone must take part and ensure that we live in a society that is corrupt free. Today, we are launching the anticorruption awareness month where among others, we intend to raise awareness on evils of corruption, reflect on why people continue to engage in corruption and develop modalities on how we can together end it,” she said.
The Director General said during the campaign, ACB would hold community clinics to allow people in the rural areas access ACB services.
She called on Malawians to report cases of corruption and stop the tendency of shielding offenders.
“A lot of money that was meant for basic services are siphoned off by people we know yet we don’t report them. We do not have better education, health care system and other social amenities because corruption has taken centre stage.
“It is our expectation and hope that by the end of this campaign, everyone would be a watchdog and jointly crackdown on those involving themselves in corruption,” Chizuma said.
Mayor for Zomba City Benson Bula described corruption as a deep routed culture amongst Malawians and called for the ACB to deal with all those involved in corrupt practices.
Bula also appealed for speedy completion of corruption cases and for the ACB not to be lenient on offenders.
“Sometimes we get disappointed when we don’t see the future of some corruption cases. I am sure you will, this time around, work with speed and also provide response on cases that citizens are following up,” he said.
Member of Parliament for Zomba City Constituency, Bester Awali assured the ACB of support from parliamentarians.
The launch in Zomba started with a solidarity match from Chinamwali Township to District Commissioner’s’ car park where speeches were made.
The Police Brass-band spiced up the event with songs and dances.