By Rebecca Chimjeka Matemba:
Unit has played a pivotal role
United States (US) Chargé d’Affaires Pamela Fessenden has said Malawi has, through the establishment of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, seized $150,000 (about K267 million) of illicit funds and frozen assets worth $3 million (K5.8 billion) related to corruption.
Fessenden disclosed this in Lilongwe on Thursday during a panel discussion to mark International Anti- Corruption Day.
“The newly established Asset Forfeiture Unit has played a pivotal role in identifying and recovering proceeds from graft, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing battle against corruption.
“The strategy emphasises a multi-stakeholder approach, aligning efforts from local institutions and international partners,” Fessenden said.
She said such efforts were part of a coordinated anti-corruption strategy developed with support from the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) and partners from the United Kingdom.
During the panel discussion, prominent voices in the fight against corruption described the state of corruption in Malawi as a mixed bag.
Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) Executive Director Willy Kambwandira said although there had been notable gains, such as increased awareness and institutional reforms, there were persistent setbacks that highlighted the ongoing struggle to achieve meaningful and lasting change.
“Gains have been achieved in the fight against corruption.
“However, the pace of reform and enforcement remains inconsistent,” Kambwandira said.
He said establishing dedicated courts to handle corruption-related crimes by the government was ensuring that justice was delivered in a timely manner. Kambwandira was quick to point out that despite the establishment of specialised courts, many corruption cases experienced prolonged delays, undermining public trust in the justice system.
On her part, mining expert Elyvin Nkhonjera Chawinga underscored the need for stronger advocacy and collective action to hold authorities accountable and sustain the momentum in combating corruption.
“While Malawi has taken important steps to address corruption, significant challenges remained. The journey towards a corruption-free society requires continuous effort, stronger institutional commitment and greater public participation,” she said.
She, however, lamented information gaps on mining issues.
“Limited disclosure of mining contracts, revenue and environmental assessments discourage investments and affect public trust,” Chawinga said.
Youths representative Rebecca Hami said there was a need for individuals to be discussing corruption issues openly.
“Corruption remains a significant challenge, with many discussions but little concrete action being taken to address it effectively,” Hami said.
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