A high court in Malawi has overturned the government’s decision to suspend Martha Chizuma, the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), allowing her to resume her job.
The suspension of Ms. Chizuma was announced last week by Colleen Zamba, secretary to the president and cabinet.
The suspension was linked to a lawsuit against her following a leaked audio in which she allegedly made remarks suggesting that a number of senior government officials and some judicial officers were hindering the fight against corruption.
The lawsuit filed by an official who was offended by the suggestion led to Ms. Chizuma’s interdiction.
The opposition, as well as the country’s apex legal organization, the Lawyers Association of Malawi, strongly opposed her suspension.
The president is the only person legally able to appoint or dismiss the head of the anti-corruption committee, according to a statement from the lawyers’ association.
The recording and circulation of the audio have been referred to as “corruption fighting back” by President Lazarus Chakwera, who has already stated that he will not dismiss Ms. Chizuma.
Late on Monday February 6, the court granted the judicial review request submitted by the Malawi Law Society.
Author-Roberta Appiah
