Summary of latest activities

The Public Education Section (PES) has done several programmes for the past five months (January to May). The following are some of the activities:-

1. Court clerks anti-corruption workshops which took place in the central and southern region of Malawi. Participant came from all the Districts representing those regions and came mostly from the magistrates courts.

These were two days workshops where they looked at the definition of corruption and its related concepts, corruption prevention as well as detection strategies and then finally looked at how they can report corruption to Anti-Corruption Bureau.

1. Anti-corruption rallies continue to be an effective means of reaching out to many people at once. Recently the section visited the following Districts: Balaka,  Rumphi, Chikwawa, Zomba,  Chiradzulu, Blantyre and Dedza.
2. Training on new clubs that have shown interest remains a priority for the section. In the month of April, Nasulu and Mgwirizano (from Chiradzulu), Masambanjati and Thyolo (from Thyolo District) and Namphungo clubs have been trained. Five more have been planned to be trained in central as well as Northern Region.
3. Three Anti-Corruption Bureau open days were conducted in Karonga, in the Northern Region of Malawi, Kasungu in the Central Region and Mangochi in the Southern Region of Malawi. The public was advised to resist, reject and report corrupt practices to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
4. Media workshop for journalist from all media houses took place early May, 2010. The workshop was aimed at sensitizing media practitioners on the function and operations of the Bureau and also enlisting their support in the fight against corruption on local governance and farm subsidized programme. The workshop was a success.
5. Electronic media programmes continue to enjoy airtime. ‘Sagula N’chipanda’ radio programme is on radio MBC. Radio jingles and television advertisements are also some of the programmes.

Court finds Queen Elizabeth Hospital staff guilty on corruption charges

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT    : EGRITA M. NDALA

DATE           : 25^th MAY, 2010

PHONE        : 01 820 305/0 888 828 397

FAX             : 01 823105

COURT FINDS QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL STAFF GUILTY ON CORRUPTION CHARGES

On 14^th January, 2010, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging that Mr. Blessings Kayuni and Mr. Lumbson M. Paulosi Hospital Attendant and Acting Ward Clerk respectively demanded K1, 000.00 and K1, 500.00 respectively from a patient in order for them to include him on a list of patients to be operated on by a doctor.

Blessings Kayuni and Lumbson Paulosi were taken to Blantyre Magistrate’s Court where they were each charged with two counts of corrupt practices by a public officer contrary Section 24 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act. Blessings Kayuni was acquitted for lack of evidence.

On 17^th May, 2010, Blantyre Magistrate’s Court found Lumbson Paulosi guilty on both counts. He was sentenced to twenty four months imprisonment with hard labour for each count. The sentences will run concurrently.

EGRITA M. NDALA

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FOR: DIRECTOR

Court convicts Lyford Mgunda former DC for Likoma for corruption

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT    : EGRITA M. NDALA

DATE           : 25^th May, 2010

PHONE        : 01 820 305/08 828 397

FAX             : 01 823105

COURT CONVICTS LYFORD MGUNDA FORMER DC FOR LIKOMA FOR CORRUPTION

On 24^th February, 2005, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging that the District Commissioner and other officials at Likoma District Assembly deal in contracts and flout recruitment procedures. They do not properly account for money the assembly receives from MASAF and National AIDS Commission.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau instituted investigations into the matter where investigations established that the DC had abused his office by authorizing to be lent to Grace Minika and Barnabas Nkhwamba 21 iron sheets belonging to Malawi Government.

On 11^th December and 12^th December, 2008 the Bureau arrested Lyford Mgunda and Tamanya Harawa respectively for misuse of public office.

On 7^th January, 2009, the Anti-Corruption Bureau took Mr. Lyford Mgunda and Tamanya Harawa to Likoma Magistrate’s Court to answer a charge of misuse of public office contrary to Section 25 B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act. Likoma Magistrate’s Court found Mr. Lyford Mgunda and Tamanya Harawa with case to answer.

On 18^th May, 2010 Nkhata Bay Magistrate’s court acquitted Tamanya Harawa but convicted Lyford Mgunda. He was sentenced to a fine of K120, 000.00 or in default serve 12 months imprisonment with hard labour. He has paid the fine.

The state applied for an order of disqualification from serving in public service in accordance with Section 40 of the Corrupt Practices Act. The court has granted the order. This means that Lyford Mgunda is not to serve in the public service for a period of seven (7) years.

EGRITA M. NDALA

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FOR: DIRECTOR

ACB arrests Group Village Headman

PRESS RELEASE

 

CONTACT : EGRITA M. NDALA

PHONE : 01 820 305/0 888 828 397

FAX : 01 823105

 

ANTI- CORRUPTION BUREAU ARRESTS GROUP VILLAGE HEADMAN CHIKUSE

In 2007, the Anti-Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging that Mr. Thomson Ntondeza who is Group Village Headman Chikuse received K7, 500.00 from Mr. Clement Zimba in order for the Chief to favour Zimba in a land dispute.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau instituted investigations which confirmed the allegation.

On 6^th May, 2010, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Group Village headman Chikuse and brought him before Chikhwawa Magistrate’s Court. He was charged with one count of corrupt practices by a public officer contrary Section 24 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and one count of abuse of public office contrary to Section 25B(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

He was released on bail after depositing K5, 000.00 with the court. He was also ordered to produce one surety of K5, 000.00 not cash. He will be reporting to Livinzu Police Unit once every week on Fridays.

The case goes to court on 9^th June, 2010 for continuation of hearing.

EGRITA M. NDALA

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FOR: DIRECTOR