BY DRAXON MALOYA

Civil society Organizations (CSO) working under the banner National Anti-Corruption Alliance have expressed concerns with continued attacks of law enforcement officials and institutions who are fighting organized corruption which they say is now deep-rooted in the country.

The concern was raised following recent events in the country which are threatening people’s rights, democratic governance and the government’s obligation in upholding the constitution and international law in the fight against corruption.

Speaking during an Impromptu CSOs’ press briefing, the CSOs called upon the Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General, Martha Chizuma to release a full list of those implicated in corruption and state capture.

Taking turns, the CSOs called for an immediate investigation of what they termed as a political scheme scandalizing the judicial system at the Mzuzu Magistrates Court which will likely bring judicial delinquency.

National Anti-Corruption Alliance chairperson, Moses Mkandawire said the planned questioning of Chizuma by police using the legal route is only aimed to suppress people.

“Martha Chizuma appeared before the head of state and she was forgiven and that is water under the bridge, why police call her now? Continuation of intimidation of law enforcement institutions since the commencement of high profile corruption cases,” Mkandawire said.

He then reiterated that lives of those working in such cases are at risk hence calling for their protection while at the same time asking for vigilance on the nation to stand with the ACB and other law enforcement institutions using whatever possible democratic means to stop the harassments.

On his part, Youth and Society Executive Director, Charles Kajoloweka commended the leadership of the United Democratic Front (UDF) for suspending its sold out member, Frihton Mohompho who is used in a political scheme registered in the civil registry of the Mzuzu Court on Chizuma’s leaked audio.

“We commend the UDF leadership for suspending one of it’s officials who brought the political scheme to the Mzuzu Court on Chizuma’s leaked audio, unfortunately the one who leaked that audio is not investigated up to now, what was his motive by the way?” wondered Kajoloweka.

He then took his time to warn the citizenry about some entities which he said masquerade as CSOs but were bankrolled by the state to undermine the credibility of the Civil Society Organizations and some state institutions to run propaganda to the deterrent the credible ones.

Other CSO leaders also expressed fears that with the current level of corruption in the country Malawi vision 2063 cannot be achieved considering the state at which serious and organized corruption has reached.

Meanwhile earlier on Friday morning the under pressure Malawi Police Service announced the suspension of their planned interrogation of the ACB boss, Martha Chizuma.

Police gathered information that some CSOs were planning to escort and converge at National Police Headquarters where they were planning to conduct vigils throughout the period Chizuma would be interrogated.

However, Deputy National Police spokesperson Harry Namwaza says instead police will Monday next week hold a media briefing to explain the Court order to investigate Chizuma and clear any fears going around that the summon could be politically motivated.

Namwaza also parried out assertions that police have learnt that some citizens were mobilizing to hold protests at the police headquarters in Lilongwe in support of ACB Director General.

Meanwhile, the High Court in Lilongwe has stopped investigations which Malawi Police Service was conducting on Martha Chizuma, Director General of ACB   in connection with the leaked audio.

The court has also ordered for a review of a ruling by Mzuzu senior resident magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda who ordered Malawi Police Service and the DPP to investigate Chizuma on the leaked audio.