President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered the reappointment of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Deputy Director General Hilary Chilomba as acting Director General, the State House has said.
Presidential Press Secretary Anthony Kasunda told The Daily Times that Chakwera made the directive two days ago.
According to Kasunda, the decision is to allow for the conclusion of the Ombudsman’s independent investigation into whether the process for the shortlisting of candidates was in compliance with the law.
“Two days ago, the President ordered the reappointment of Deputy Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau as acting Director General to allow for the conclusion of the Ombudsman’s independent investigation into whether the process for the shortlisting of candidates was in compliance with the law,” Kasunda said.
Last week, Ombudsman Grace Malera said her office had kick-started investigation into allegations of irregular and unprocedural shortlisting and interviewing of two candidates for the position of ACB DG.
The two are Chilomba and lawyer Oscar Taulo.
According to complaints filed at the Office of the Ombudsman, the two are alleged not to possess the requisite qualification for the post of ACB DG as advertised.
The Ombudsman has since requested the Ministry of Justice to furnish her office with a copy of the published advertisement for the job and to confirm whether Chilomba and Taulo applied for the position.
The position of ACB DG fell vacant following the expiry of the contract of Martha Chizuma.
Section 6 (A) of the Corrupt Practices Act of 2019 reads: “In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Director, the minister shall advertise the position in the Gazette and at least two newspapers of widest circulation in Malawi.
“Upon receipt of the applications, the minister shall empanel a selection team of not more than seven people comprising representatives of the public sector, the private sector, faith organisations, traditional leadership, civil society organisations and the media.”
The Act further states that the selection panel shall carry out the shortlisting and interviews in order to pick a minimum of two and a maximum of three candidates for the position and the minister shall send the list to the President for the appointment of one of the candidates as director. After the shortlisted candidates have undergone the necessary security clearance and vetting, the President shall make the appointment, subject to Section 6(2), and this has to be done from the names on the list recommended by the minister.
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