Catholic Bishops Question “peculiar” Arrest, Release of Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Director

“It baffles us that all this operation involving the arrest of a high-profile official in the Government and involving a legitimate organ of the State like the Police was happening without the people that ordinarily would be expected to know,” ECM members say.

They pose, “Just like every Malawian, our fear is who is behind this then; that he/she can command our security agents to act behind the back of our leaders?”

ECM members say the recent event makes them question "who is really in charge of the affairs of this country.”

They further say that the arrest of the ACB official without the knowledge of the relevant authorities raises questions regarding Malawi’s security.

“If this is allowed to happen this way, how secure are we as citizens and as a Nation? This again calls for serious investigation and reflection,” they say. 

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ECM members continue, “This recent development is a wakeup call for the President and the Government of Malawi to do due diligence and create a legacy in the fight against corruption - the vice that is eroding the economy of this country, causing the untold suffering of innocent Malawians whose lives hang in the balance because of the evil of corruption.”

At a December 6 meeting, Malawi’s Head of State directed that an inquest looking into the arrest of the ACB Director General be formed. 

The President also said that those who abused their offices during the arrest of Ms. Chizuma need to be held accountable. 

In their collective statement, Catholic Bishops in the Southeastern country applaud the government for assuring Malawians that it is on top of the matter.

They, however, say that Malawians remain bothered by the events surrounding Ms. Chizuma’s arrest.

“The question that will bother the minds of Malawians remains: is this not only a cosmetic way of assuring the Nation that the Government is in control?” they pose, and all on President Chakwera and his government to live up to the role of the fight against corruption.

“Government must demonstrate the importance of being led by the spirit of wisdom and integrity in this fight against corruption,” say Catholic Bishops in Malawi.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.