OMBUDSMAN UNCOVERS IRREGULARITIES IN ACB DIRECTOR GENERAL SHORTLISTING

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

°°°Verdict says Chilomba, Taulo failed to meet ACB Director General requirements

The Ombudsman’s investigation has unearthed that Hillary Chilomba and Oscar Taulo didn’t meet the qualifications for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general position.

This comes as the Office of the Ombudsman received a complaint alleging maladministration in the shortlisting and interviewing process for the ACB director general position.

Grace Malera says the complaint specifically targeted Chilomba and Taulo’s qualifications.

“The investigation found that Oscar Taulo, despite having a master’s degree in law, lacked the required 5 years of post-qualification work experience.”

Again, on the other hand, Hillary Chilomba was irregularly shortlisted as he didn’t satisfy the position’s requirements.

The ACB director general position is crucial in the fight against corruption in Malawi. The Office of the Ombudsman is mandated to investigate any alleged injustices, including those related to public appointments.

The Ombudsman’s findings have significant implications. Chilomba, who is currently acting as the ACB director general, may face consequences for being irregularly shortlisted.

In response to the investigation, the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has expressed concerns about the delays in concluding the investigation, citing its impact on the ACB’s operations.

The Ombudsman’s determination is expected to provide clarity on whether the shortlisting process adhered to the law, potentially shaping the future of ACB leadership.

Chilombo appointed as a acting ACB Director following the expiry of the tenure of former Bureau Director Martha Chizuma.

Chizuma’s tenure marred by controversy, with many viewing her as ineffective and questioning her professionalism due to a significant breach of her oath of office when she leaked confidential information to a third party.

Those were unfolding events surrounded Chizuma including her interdiction over a leaked audio, compelling governance and human rights advocates to conclude that the Chakwera administration is spending sleepless nights in its relentless attempts to finish her.

But Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation-CHRR Executive Director Micheal Kaiyatsa described the development as very sad; saying it confirms earlier suspicions that the leaked audio and cases against her were a scheme to get rid of her.

“However, the interdiction may be illegal as the Constitution is clear that the ACB Director General can only be removed from office by the President with confirmation of the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament,” argued Kaiyatsa.

On his part, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives-CDEDI, Executive Director Slyvester Namiwa suggested Chakwera himself interdicted Chizuma.

“We all know that all this is being done to protect those that have been fired in cabinet and those still serving including the cronies he sanctioned to loot and plunder with impunity”, added Namiwa.

In December 2022, about 20 armed police officers descended on the helpless Chizuma like a hardcore criminal over a leaked audio that allegedly injured former Director of Public Prosecutions, Steven Kayuni.

But MHRC instituted an investigation into the matter despite the state dropping all criminal charges against Chizuma.

In her remarks, Executive Secretary for MHRC, Chikondi Chijozi said the nature of the investigation could not allow them source funds from elsewhere; so they were waiting for their budget allocation from government.

“We are at present also mindful that the Commission has been prioritising other matters like the nominatin of Commissioners and waiting for budget as we have had no budget on investigation,” said Chijozi in a written response.

Some view this as a waste of resources after President Lazarus Chakwera’s instituted inquiry on the same. But she argues: “Criminal investigation and human rights investigation were two different things. The Commission is at liberty to continue the investigation regardless of the court outcomes.”

Besides the complainant-Chizuma, the Commission also planned to interview officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ministry of Justice, State House, Malawi Police Service and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, among others.