Police summons ACB director, suspends over demonstrations
Malawi Police service MPS has suspended investigative interview with director general of ant corruption bureau ACB Martha Chizuma because of demonstrations rumor
MPS summoned Chizuma to appear before it on 22nd April for the interview session following a court order issued by Mzuzu senior resident magistrate after an application by UDF district governor for Chikwawa Frighton Phompho
In a press statement signed by deputy public relations officer for Police inspector Harry Namwaza, MPS called for calm as it was a normal investigative interview
However Malawi Police Service has suspended the interview session because some citizens were mobilizing to demonstrate against its compliance with court order to summon ACB director as a person of interest in a matter the court needs to establish facts
Namwaza says the service will hold a press conference at national police headquarters on Monday next week to attend to all public questions or concerns regarding the court order
He adds that MPS has suspended the investigative interview to create room for the building of public trust in the processes it follows in compliance with court orders
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Reacting to the development law expert Ousman Kennedy said much as chizuma has to obey the court order for investigation, the move is clear indication that some people in government want the ACB director out of their way.
Kennedy also said dragging Chizuma to courts is a mockery to the fight against corruption in Malawi hence calling on Malawians to support her
Taim jimmy interviewed Kennedy.
Cue in
Cue out: Kennedy on Chizuma Eng.
Law expert Ousman Kennedy.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Meanwhile, Malawi Human Rights Commission MHRC has urged Malawi Police Service to ensure their conduct in the Chizuma matter follows due process and not jeopardize personal safety, institutional integrity as well as independence of ACB
In a statement MHRC Chairperson Scader Louis says the commission organized bilateral meetings with ACB director general and attorney general following public comments about poor working relationship between them and director of public prosecutions DPP
Louis has disclosed that the commission is set to meet the DPP after which a round table meeting with all the 3 offices will be held
MHRC stresses that attacks against ACB director hence diverting attention from corruption cases the institution is investigating is an attack against all human rights defenders
The commission has reminded government of its international responsibility to refrain from criminalizing and stigmatizing human rights defenders
It has pleaded with the public to refrain from subjecting ACB director and any public office that is involved in the cases of attacks
Meanwhile, Human Rights Activists and Concerned Citizens have said will hold vigils and conduct demonstrations to force president Chakwera to fire Director of public Prosecution, Attorney General and inspector general on grounds that the trio is jeopardizing the work of ant corruption bureau ACB
They revealed this during a press briefing in Lilongwe following the suspension of the investigative interview on ACB director general Martha Chizuma by Malawi Police Service
Addressing the press executive director of Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives CDEDI Sylvester Namiwa said “tonse alliance administration is using state agencies and some citizens to frustrate Chizuma so that she abandons investigations on businessman Zuneth Sattar who is suspected of corruption scandals.”
