Martha Chizuma Concludes Tenure as Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau Chief

Martha Chizuma has concluded her three-year tenure of director general of Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), citing a desire to rest and spend time with her family. Her tenure, which began in 2021, was marked by significant achievements and notable challenges.

During her time at the helm, Chizuma oversaw 639 completed investigations and 58 prosecutions, with 20 cases still awaiting judgment. The ACB successfully forfeited $550,000 worth of assets to the government, including houses, cars, and buildings worth billions of kwacha preserved for future forfeiture.

Chizuma's tenure was not without controversy. She faced significant challenges, including her arrest over a leaked audio conversation and a lack of consistent support from the government. Despite these obstacles, she maintained her commitment to fighting corruption, collaborating with the UK's National Crimes Agency on high-profile cases involving suspected corrupt activities.

Why this matters: Martha Chizuma's tenure as ACB director general has significant implications for the fight against corruption in Malawi and beyond. Her achievements and challenges serve as a model for other countries struggling to combat corruption, and her legacy will likely influence future anti-corruption efforts in the region.

Reflecting on her decision not to renew her contract, Chizuma stated, "I want to rest my mind [and] my body. I have decided not to renew my contract, [I want] to be with my little boys. I will look at other opportunities afterwards."

Chizuma's appointment as ACB director general in 2021 followed her successful tenure as a no-nonsense Ombudsman. Her time at the ACB saw significant changes, including the amendment of the Corrupt Practices Act, which allowed the ACB to prosecute cases without seeking consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Under Chizuma's leadership, the ACB recruited more prosecutors and saw increased funding from the Treasury, with allocations rising from K6 billion in 2022 to K8.6 billion in the current financial year.

Her tenure also included high-profile collaborations, such as working with the UK's National Crimes Agency on cases linked to businessperson Zuneth Sattar. This led to the arrest of high-profile government officials, including Vice-President Saulos Chilima and former Police Inspector General George Kainja.

Despite these efforts, Chizuma faced significant obstacles. Private practice lawyer Gladwell Majekete noted that state operatives attempted to derail her work, citing her arrest as an example. "The initial stages of her tenure had goodwill from the appointing authority, but things changed when the appointing authority realised she wanted to exercise her independence," Majekete said.

Centre for Transparency and Accountability executive director Willy Kambwandira added, "In all fairness, it will be difficult to subject her to performance assessment." He emphasized the lack of support Chizuma received during her tenure.

Chizuma steps down, Deputy Director General Elia Bodole will serve in the capacity of ACB chief, in accordance with the Corrupt Practices Act section 8 (1).

Martha Chizuma's tenure at the ACB has been a period of significant activity and notable achievements, despite the challenges she faced. As she takes a well-deserved break, her legacy in the fight against corruption in Malawi remains impactful.

Key Takeaways

• Martha Chizuma concludes 3-year tenure as Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general.
• During her tenure, ACB completed 639 investigations, 58 prosecutions, and forfeited $550,000 in assets.
• Chizuma faced challenges, including arrest and lack of government support, but maintained commitment to fighting corruption.
• Her legacy will influence future anti-corruption efforts in the region, serving as a model for other countries.
• Deputy Director General Elia Bodole will serve as ACB chief following Chizuma's departure.