Lawyer for the ACB Director General, Martha Kaukonde has told us that ‘from preliminary information’ the arrest is linked to an audio which circulated on social media early this year.
In the audio, the DG was allegedly speaking about ongoing investigations.
Says Kaukonde: “The preliminary information that I have is that the arrest is to do with the leaked audio. Yes, the matter was dealt with at the High Court, but when the Judge was making the pronouncement, she stated that whoever was doing it should not go round, sending people bringing up the charges.
“The judge said if they want, then the DPP [Director of Public Prosecution] should just proceed as is mandated by law. So I think that’s what is happening. So, it is the DPP.”
In April, the Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court ordered the Malawi Police Service and the DPP to investigate the leaked audio.
It followed an application by private citizen Frighton Phombo who moved the court to open a case against Chizuma on allegations that she violated the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA) by revealing to a third party
Later that month, DPP Steve Kayuni wrote the Inspector General (IG) of Police to investigate and authenticate the leaked audio.
Chizuma was scheduled to be interviewed by police at Area 30 Police Headquarters in Lilongwe to ascertain if criminal charges can be levelled against her, but police suspended the meeting at the eleventh hour, saying some people were planning to demonstrate against their action.
The DG then applied to the High Court for a review of an order and criminal proceedings commenced against her by Phompho.
