By Suleman Chitera
Civil society organizations Malawi First, led by Bon Kalindo, and the People Power Movement have dismissed as unfounded allegations circulating on social media that the government’s legal advisor, Frank Mbeta, is involved in corruption and should step down.
The two groupings addressed journalists during a press briefing in Lilongwe>, where they described the claims as speculative and lacking evidentiary backing.
Speaking on behalf of the People Power Movement, senior official Edward Kambanje said individuals who claim to possess incriminating evidence should channel it through lawful institutions rather than disseminating accusations on Facebook.
“If there is concrete evidence, it must be submitted to the appropriate authorities for investigation,” Kambanje said, warning that publicizing unverified claims risks damaging reputations and infringing on individual rights.
Kalindo reiterated that the fight against corruption is a collective national duty but stressed that it must be conducted within the framework of the law. He cautioned against what he described as “trial by social media,” arguing that such practices undermine due process and weaken public trust in governance systems.
At the same time, Kalindo challenged the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to reinforce public confidence by demonstrating professionalism, independence, and transparency in handling corruption-related matters. He urged citizens not to manipulate anti-corruption institutions to settle personal or political scores.
The organizations emphasized that their position should not be interpreted as defending any individual but rather as advocating for adherence to legal procedures and the rule of law in addressing allegations of wrongdoing.
