Michael Usi bemoans progress in corruption fight

State Vice President Michael Usi has expressed concern over steps Malawi is making in fighting corruption.

Usi cited failure by oversight agencies to take to book people that are suspected of indulging in corruption.

He said this yesterday after getting involved in humanitarian work in Nandumbo area, Traditional Authority Kalembo, Balaka District.

“We have people who are seriously corrupt in the past and present regime but it is sad that they are walking freely. Some are even campaigning for various [public] seats so that they can come back into government after 16th September to continue stealing. These people belong to jail. They have no business outside the prison,” Usi said.

He said his sentiments were based on some Malawians’ suspicions that there were some people who accumulated unexplained wealth which is not in line with their income, saying this could be a clear indication that corruption was probably involved.

“This is where we should start fighting corruption. Let them explain their wealth and if they fail, ACB [Anti- Corruption Bureau] should move on [and] arrest and prosecute the suspects. I am in the government and I know that the ACB is doing something to make sure that they are all sent to jail,” he said.

The Vice President also warned people against supporting politicians who have no regard for people’s welfare.

‘You are human beings and not [mere] votes but you will see that you will be visited by a lot of people who are seeing you as votes and not people. You have the power to reject them because they don’t deserve you,” he said.

Usi also asked people in the country to avoid political violence, saying this had no place in modern democracy.

He said countries that have a history of civil unrest have never developed, hence Malawi should not take this path.

During his visit, Usi donated packets of maize floor, sugar, beans and groundnuts to households.

One of the beneficiaries, Edna Monjeza, thanked Usi for the gesture.

“People have no food because of the poor harvest of last year,” she said.