The Integrity Platform, a local institution that works with Transparency International on the Corruption Perception Index, says the country’s endemic corruption is due to capture of most State institutions.

The platform’s national coordinator Jeff Kabondo said this in reaction to remarks by acting British High Commissioner Sophia Willittis-King deploring continued corruption and theft of public resources in the country.

He said Malawi should put safeguards on the little resources it has, including those provided by development partners, observing that most of institutions are captured, making it difficult for the rule of law to prevail.

Kabondo said: “Beneficial ownership transparency is a double-edged sword and a huge test on the sincerity of our leaders on their commitment to fight corruption.

Raised alarm on the vice: Willittis-King

“So, we need to deal with the capture of State institutions, enforce transparency of political party financing, support open contracting initiatives and beneficial ownership transparency.”

In a separate interview, governance and rights activist Moses Mkandawire said Malawi has reached a point of epitomising those who promote ‘collusive corruption’ for their own political and economic motives.

He said: “Collusive corruption is pronounced in procurement process where incidences of ‘bid rigging’ take centre-stage as people hide behind the weak procurement laws and procedures. Each one of us has to be a police officer of the other.”

Mkandawire further stressed the need to strengthen all institutions which act as defenders of the fight against corruption and fraud through capacity development, proper remuneration and motivation.

Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo is on record as having said government is equally concerned with rampant corruption in State institutions.

He assured that efforts are in place to dealing with corruption, including the review of procurement laws, beneficial ownership guidelines and establishment of the Financial Crimes Court.

“We have a commission led by the Ministry of Finance working on these reviews. But we are also looking forward to the courts doing their part in terms of quick disposal of cases,” Mvalo said.

Last year, Malawi climbed 19 places on the 2021 Transparency International (IT) Corruption Perception Index, which measures perceived levels of public sector corruption,. IT ranks Malawi at 110 out of 180 countries.

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