By Burnett Munthali
The recent press release by The Concerned Citizens, led by Comrade Edwards Kambanje, has reignited the national conversation on accountability, corruption, and the integrity of governance in Malawi. At the heart of the controversy lies the alleged financial mismanagement surrounding multiple failed government projects, a matter that has left many Malawians disillusioned and demanding answers.
Dr. Mafuta Mwale, the current Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), is under intense scrutiny due to his previous role as Secretary to the Treasury. During his tenure, funds were approved for projects that have now been declared fraudulent or incomplete. Malawians are left wondering: How can we trust a man who failed to safeguard public funds to now oversee the country’s monetary policy?
Among the most glaring concerns is the fertilizer procurement scandal that cost the nation billions. The implications of such financial mismanagement extend beyond mere numbers—they affect food security, economic stability, and the very survival of the country’s most vulnerable citizens. If Dr. Mwale’s past performance is anything to go by, his current role at RBM should be a matter of national concern.
The Concerned Citizens have issued a firm demand: Parliament must summon Dr. Mwale for questioning, and if found guilty of negligence, he must step down immediately.
While Dr. Mwale is a key player, The Concerned Citizens refuse to limit accountability to one individual. They are calling for answers from several government institutions, including:
The Ministry of Finance and the Secretary to the Treasury: The public demands an official statement addressing the failed projects and outlining steps to recover lost funds.
The Ministries of Transport and Health: These ministries were responsible for implementing several of the projects in question. The demand for the dismissal of the responsible ministers grows louder.
District Commissioners (DCs): With decentralization placing development oversight in their hands, DCs must explain how these projects failed under their watch. If found culpable, they too must face the consequences.
A crucial piece of this puzzle is the role of contractors. The Concerned Citizens are demanding a full public disclosure of all companies awarded government contracts related to the failed projects.
Key questions that must be answered include:
1) How were these contractors selected?
2) Did they fulfill their contractual obligations?
3) Were procurement laws followed, or were contracts awarded through nepotism and bribery?
If any contractors were paid for incomplete work, they must either refund public funds or face legal action.
The Concerned Citizens have declared their intention to launch a nationwide inspection tour of the projects mentioned in the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). Their goal is clear: separate fact from fiction.
By collecting photos, testimonies, and official reports, they aim to expose any deception in government claims about development. If projects exist only on paper, Malawians deserve to know the truth.
A sitting President is bound by oath to serve the nation with integrity. If it is proven that false claims were made in the SONA regarding these projects, there are significant legal ramifications, including:
Breach of oath of office: Lying to the nation violates the fundamental duty of the President.
Abuse of power: If the deception was intentional, it constitutes an abuse of executive authority.
Perjury and fraud: Misrepresenting facts to the public can be considered fraudulent, particularly if it involves covering up corruption.
Impeachment and loss of credibility: In functioning democracies, deception of this magnitude could warrant impeachment proceedings.
Beyond legal consequences, a government that loses the trust of its people also loses its legitimacy. Malawi cannot afford to be led by deception.
The Concerned Citizens have issued the following demands to the government:
1) Dr. Mafuta Mwale must be summoned by Parliament to answer for his role in these failed projects.
2) The Secretary to the Treasury must issue a public statement clarifying how payments were made for these projects.
3) Ministers of Health and Transport must be dismissed for their failure to ensure proper project implementation.
4) District Commissioners must be investigated to determine their role in the mismanagement.
5) An independent inquiry must be launched to uncover the full extent of corruption in these projects.
Should these demands be ignored, the Concerned Citizens have vowed to mobilize nationwide protests and vigils.
Malawi stands at a defining moment. Corruption, financial mismanagement, and lack of accountability have long plagued its governance, but the people are no longer willing to remain silent. The Concerned Citizens’ movement reflects a growing demand for transparency, justice, and responsible leadership.
The question now is whether the government will heed the calls for accountability—or whether Malawians will be forced to take their fight to the streets.
