Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) has called for action on stalled grand corruption cases, warning that delayed prosecution risks eroding public confidence in key law enforcement agencies. In a statement, Csat executive director Willy Kambwabdira said alleged reluctance undermines the country’s democratic governance and development agenda, especially in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the Attorney General and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He said Csat has observed with dismay that Malawians are being fed a steady diet of low-level arrests and minor prosecutions, which create the illusion of action while strategically diverting public attention from serious, high-value corruption cases.
Kambwandira said such cases have crippled public service delivery, worsened food insecurity, and undermined trust in State institutions. He said: “While we acknowledge that these cases may have merit and do not oppose lawful accountability, Csat also reminds the current government not to overlook other pending matters—particularly corruption cases. Kambwandira argued that selective pursuit of ‘safe’ cases while shielding politically connected individuals only entrenches impunity and confirms public fears that the anti-corruption fight is being weaponised for political convenience rather than justice.
But speaking during a recent multi-stakeholder dialogue on anti-corruption in Lilongwe organised by Youth and Society (YAS), National Anti-Corruption Alliance and the African Institute for Development Policy, ACB acting director general Gabriel Chembezi said they will work on non-discriminatory basis. He said: “We will ensure timely prosecution of matters including reviving prosecution of matters that have stalled in the past few years. “Substantial effort will also be directed towards non-conviction-based asset forfeiture of proceeds of crime, including tracing illicit assets located outside the country.” On his part, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango said the Attorney General’s chambers will be reformed to act as an independent legal adviser to all the three arms of government—the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary—rather than advancing political agendas. Malawi has slowed down in efforts to fight corruption in the past three years, with the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) showing that since 2022, the country has maintained its score at 34 points, but has only been moving up on ranking.
