By Suleman Chitera
A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has called for urgent investigations into alleged political interference in procurement processes at the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), warning that such actions threaten transparency and accountability in public institutions.
The organizations, led by the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), raised the concerns during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Thursday.HRDC Was ‘Dead’ for Five Years During Chakwera Era — Analysts Point to Silence, Lost Influence
The CSOs cited leaked documents allegedly signed by President Lazarus Chakwera, which they claim indicate directives on which companies should be awarded contracts and which should be excluded from the procurement process.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the alleged directives violate Malawi’s procurement laws and compromise the integrity of public procurement systems.HRDC’s Return Sparks Mixed Reactions: Genuine Human Rights Advocacy or Political Comeback Strategy?
“When procurement outcomes are determined by political directives, they undermine the principles of fairness, transparency and accountability,” said Kaiyatsa.
He urged President Chakwera to rescind any decisions that may have influenced ESCOM’s procurement processes and allow procurement institutions to operate independently and in accordance with the law.
Kaiyatsa further called on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to intervene and investigate the allegations.
“The institutions mandated to safeguard public resources must act swiftly and impartially to establish the truth and ensure accountability where necessary,” he said.HRDC Threatens Legal Action Over VP’s Controversial UK Trip
The coalition has also appealed to Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee to institute a formal inquiry into the matter, arguing that the allegations raise serious questions about governance and adherence to procurement regulations.
According to the CSOs, political interference in procurement processes can discourage fair competition, promote favoritism and ultimately undermine public confidence in government institutions.
The organizations warned that failure to address the allegations could erode trust in public procurement systems and weaken ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Malawi.
Neither ESCOM nor the State House had issued a response to the allegations by the time of publication.