Freeze assets of fraud suspects—MLS

The Malawi Law Society (MLS) wants government to immediately freeze assets of all people suspected to have been involved in the plundering of public resources pending conclusion of investigations.

In a statement dated October 4 2013, also available on www.mwnation.com, MLS said government should investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.

MLS president Mandala Mambulasa and secretary Felisah Kilembe asked government to ensure that bills on declaration of assets and access to information are ready for debate and passage in the November sitting of Parliament.

“Those suspected to have been involved, be it in the public service or Cabinet, be suspended or interdicted from their positions and banned from going to their offices and travelling outside of the country pending the conclusion of the investigations.

“Government should immediately rotate officials to different positions and geographic areas, especially high ranking officials in government. Long time work in the same position and place is creating relationships inside and outside government which encourage and help conceal corruption, fraud and favouritism,” reads the statement.

MLS said it is also outraged by the plundering of scarce public resources while most Malawians continue to live in abject poverty and can barely afford the basic necessities of life.

The law society said it is sad that people are looting government resources while most government hospitals and clinics do not have essential medicines and other medical supplies.

“Similarly, there is no maize in Admarc depots at a time when our financial resources are being plundered with reckless abandon at Capital Hill. MLS condemns in no uncertain terms those involved in these corrupt and fraudulent activities and the plundering of public resources. MLS further condemns the system that was all along facilitating these nefarious criminal actions,” reads the statement.

The statement says corruption poses a serious threat to the rule of law, democracy, human rights, equity and social justice that also hinders economic development.

It adds that the absence of the Declaration of Assets and Access to Information bills has created a fertile ground for corruption and fraud.