Government has dismissed Kondwani Nankhumwa’s allegations that it is maneuvering to get rid of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma.

Nankhumwa, who is Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-president (South), made the allegations at a rally his faction held at Nyambadwe Primary School in Ndirande Township in Blantyre on Sunday.

He said: “Some people in government want to remove Martha Chizuma from her position. In my capacity as Leader of Opposition I will ensure that Chizuma remains in her job. I will not let this happen. I will stand by Chizuma and ensure that she should do her work accordingly.”

Nankhumwa captured on arrival at the Ndirande rally on Sunday

But in an interview yesterday, Minister of Information and Digitisation, Gospel Kazako, who is also the official government spokesperson, said it is illogical for government to plot against removing its own appointee.

He said: “How do we as a government plot against our own appointee? Martha Chizuma was appointed by President Lazarus Chakwera. Remember, even when the PAC [Public Appointments Committee] of Parliament rejected her, President Chakwera resubmitted her name.”

Kazako further laughed off Nankhumwa’s allegations, stressing that it is Tonse Alliance that has broken the record by ensuring ACB is adequately funded and capacitated.

But when contacted to substantiate the allegations yesterday, Nankhumwa said: “It [scheme to remove Chizuma] is in the public domain. Some civil society organisations have been demonstrating to have her removed. That’s what I meant. People held vigils last week. Her office was symbolically closed recently. That’s what I meant.”

Contrary to Nankhumwa’s allegations, during the two-day National Anti-Corruption Conference held last week in Blantyre, Chakwera hailed Chizuma for performing well as ACB director general since her appointment.

Before confirming Chizuma as ACB director general in May 2021, PAC rejected her for scoring 14.5 out of 25 points instead of the 17 points minimum required for the job. This shocked many Malawians.

Chizuma, who came into the limelight as Ombudsman between 2015 and 2021, was rejected by PAC after she emerged top among candidates during preliminary interviews in April 2021 and was later approved by Chakwera. Amid a public uproar, PAC later confirmed Chizuma.

Reacting to Nankhumwa’s sentiments in a telephone interview yesterday, political analyst Humphrey Mvula said Nankhumwa is not being sincere and reasonable.

“I think Nankhumwa is not being sincere or reasonable. Or else if he has evidence, let him go to Chakwera and present it,” said Mvula.

He said whatever decision that may be taken against Chizuma, Parliament is the last institution which can decide her fate.

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