Civil society groups want conclusion of JB’s inquiry efforts
Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Malawi have demanded prompt conclusion of actions on revelations by several commissions of inquiry that President Joyce Banda initiated.
A recent statement, Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC)—a group of several CSOs—says Banda’s efforts on the commissions of inquiry would be rendered fruitless if actions on results of the investigations are not concluded.
“This [late Bingu wa Mutharika Commission of Inquiry] is one among numerous commissions of inquiry the Head of State has set since she came into power. Most of the commissions have been set with enthusiasm and reports received with excitement from the government as well as public domains.
“However, the process to take the findings forward has often coiled down; the reports gather dust, as the authorities have shown reluctance to act upon them. We have witnessed this before. One possible reason is that the commissions often start with good intentions, in the interest of Malawians.
“However, along the process, the motive degenerates into a political cash bank. That is government has often shown the tendency to lean towards where they can politically cash in on such inquiries,” reads the statement signed by HRCC chairperson Undule Mwakasungula and national coordinator Baldwin Chiyamwaka.
