UDF suspends governor over Chizuma case

United Democratic Front (UDF) has suspended its Chikwawa district governor Frighton Phompho for moving the court to open a case against Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma over a leaked audio.

UDF acting publicity secretary Yusuf Mwawa said in a statement yesterday that Phompho acted on his own and that the party has always supported Chizuma.

He said: “The UDF is dismayed with his alleged involvement in this case as his alleged actions are serious and bring the party into disrepute by virtue of his position as UDF district governor.

“Mr. Phompho is alleged to have acted in his personal capacity and his alleged actions do not represent the views of the party in this matter.

“As a party, the UDF supports the fight against corruption, and the party was instrumental in the establishment of key governance and accountability institutions such as the ACB over two decades ago.”

Mwawa said the UDF openly supported the appointment of Chizuma as head of the ACB, but has also been calling for all stakeholders to support her in efforts to deal with corruption.

He said Phompho will be given the right to be heard by the party’s disciplinary committee.

But in an interview yesterday, Phompho said he was yet to receive the letter from UDF and refused to take further questions.

Phompho moved the Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court to issue an order that Chizuma be probed for allegedly violating the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA) by revealing to a third party information on ongoing investigations.

In court, Phompho contended that Chizuma committed an offence of directly revealing official information to un-authorised person, contrary to regulation 4(a) of the CPA, and that of making use of speech capable of prejudicing a person against a party to judicial proceedings, contrary to Section 113 (1) (d) of the Penal Code.

The court said even though a leeway is given for private citizens to institute criminal proceedings, the overall and ultimate authority over such proceedings remains with the DPP.