President Lazarus Chakwera has repeatedly said he has forgiven the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma. He has also repeatedly said he will not fire Chizuma over the leaked audio and indeed, Chakwera has kept his word on this.

However, in one breath, Chakwera forgives and also issues a stern warning to Chizuma. While talking about the independence of the ACB, Chakwera also tends to say he is watching over whatever the ACB director is doing and stands ready to crack the whip on her if she makes a mistake.

Clearly, Chizuma is in a position where she constantly has to look over her shoulders as she works. This can hugely impact one’s ability to execute their work efficiently and effectively. In essence, she is not free to work independently. Imagine someone who has to constantly watch over their shoulder. It plays on them psychologically and eventually kills their creative juices as they strive to impress and avoid making mistakes.

It is unfortunate that government, especially the President, seems to be quite hard on Chizuma who is fighting corruption while there is a lukewarm approach to punishing those involved in corruption. The corrupt criminals continue to dine with those in high places and even go to the extent of ridiculing those putting in efforts to fight the vice.

If this country will rid itself of corruption, the independence of the ACB is not negotiable. Allow the ACB and its director-general to work without fear or favour and stop undermining the ACB and the director-general.

One can only hope that the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will work hand in hand with the ACB director general and not pull in different directions. The fight against corruption is a fight about life and death and any serious leader would not toy-toy with the ACB as it goes after the corrupt criminals who continue to impoverish and kill Malawians with their under-dealings.

The same energy shown in ensuring that Chizuma does not falter in her work should be extended to ensuring that the corrupt individuals are brought to the book.

The post Chakwera hard on Chizuma, soft on corrupt criminals first appeared on The Nation Online.

The post Chakwera hard on Chizuma, soft on corrupt criminals appeared first on The Nation Online.