Donor response to Mphwiyo shooting saga

While the police—who are holding three people in connection with the shooting—and other security as well as intelligence agencies are hunting people who attempted to kill Malawi budget director Paul Mphwiyo as well as probing their motives, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has stepped up wide-ranging investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption in the civil service. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has also joined the fray.

ACB last Thursday arrested two public officers after receiving a complaint alleging that an officer from the Accountant General’s office was conniving with Malawi Police Service officers to corruptly defraud government of huge sums of money.

Meanwhile, eight donors—British High Commission, the Delegation of the European Union to Malawi, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Embassy of Iceland, the Embassy of Ireland, the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway and the Embassy of the United States of America—on Friday released a joint statement urging quick action on the several allegations that came flying into the public domain after the Mphwiyo gunning.

“We are greatly concerned about the reported events surrounding the shooting of the budget director Mr Paul Mphwiyo. These are worrying developments that potentially risk Malawi’s stability, rule of law and reputation. We urge swift and credible investigations that leave no stone unturned, allowing the investigating authorities to act without fear, intimidation or hindrance. Should the Malawi authorities require international assistance to their investigations into this and other cases, we are willing to respond.

“There has been growing concern in Malawi about corruption. We welcome the government’s acceptance that much more needs to be done. We encourage further political will to support the determination of those prepared within government and in State institutions to act against corruption, building on the recently announced measures to strengthen accounting systems and controlling measures. We encourage a strong coalition with others in Malawi society to ensure success and confirm our continued support to them in order that we achieve results,” they said.

Read full statement