APM talks tough on corruption
President Peter Mutharika on Thursday warned Malawians, especially public servants, against using low salaries and poverty as excuses to engage in corruption.
He said his administration will prosecute anyone involved in corruption.
The President issued the warning at Chisitu ground in Mulanje during this year’s commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day held under the theme Patriotism: Key to Fighting Corruption.
He said the commemoration renewed Malawi’s fight against corruption which deprives people of development as allocated resources go into individuals’ pockets.
Said Mutharika: “We need the right discipline and performance to generate more resources. Malawi is moving towards economic sovereignty, but we will not get there with corruption, laziness and under-performance.
“Let me warn you that I will be tough on performance and will shake up the system whenever I want. Let this be remembered. I will not tolerate laziness in the public service. I love my country. You should also love your country.”
The President also urged people to serve the country with patriotism and integrity, saying there would be no Cashgate if Malawians had embraced the principle of honesty and integrity.
Revelations of Cashgate—the plunder of public resources at Capital Hill—were exposed in September 2013 following the shooting of former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo.
Speaking earlier, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Lucas Kondowe said corruption remains a serious challenge and an obstacle to Malawi’s socio-economic development.
He said: “Corruption has two sides, the demand side and supply side. So, we need to deal with them all. We have engaged the private sector to help us deal with supply side of corruption. Let me promise that we will continue doing more in fighting corruption without fear or favour.”
Speaking on behalf of the donor community, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Mia Seppo called for concerted efforts in the fight against corruption.
She also pledged the donor community’s support towards the fight.
Malawi used to commemorate the National Anti-Corruption Day on February 5, but this year the day was shifted to December 9 to be in line with the International Anti-Corruption Day designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2003.
However, the commemoration failed to take place on December 9, and was shifted to Thursday, December 17.
Recently, Transparency International (TI) reported that Malawi dropped from position 91 in 2013 to 110 in December 2014 on the Global Corruption Perception Index. In 2012, the country was on position 88 on the ladder of 177 nations. n
