Civil Society organisations and concerned citizens jointly held a press conference in Lilongwe today to demand President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to fire the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr. Steve Kayuni as his refusal to grant ACB consent to prosecute Ashock Nair, an associate of the businessman Zuneth Sattar, who is suspected to have been involved in corrupt practices.

Leader of Social Revolution Movement, Mzuzu Youth Caucus- (MYC), Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) and two other concerned citizens said this marks the kickstart of a campaign to flush out individuals that have proven to be stumbling blocks in the fight against corruption in this country.

Below is the full statement

Joint Press Statement

Lilongwe, Monday, January 28, 2022.

KAYUNI MUST FALL; ARREST THE PERSON WHO RECORDED AND LEAKED MARTHA CHIZUMA’S TELEPHONE CONVERSATION 

We, the Human Rights Activists and Concerned Citizens who are in pursuit of a crusade against state capture, have once more been called to duty, and hereby announce the start of a campaign to flush out individuals that have proven to be stumbling blocks in the fight against corruption in this country. 

At the onset, we would like to emphasise our stand that corruption is posing a threat to the very spirit and soul of our country. Therefore, any attempts to frustrate, halt or fight the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director Martha Chizuma will be treated as waging war against all well-meaning Malawians who are eager to rid of this country this vice.

That said, it is apparent that a lot has been said by the powers that be about fighting corruption, but with little or no action. 

After taking analytical look, we have come to realise that some individuals and State agencies are bent at doing anything to save the skin of clear suspects of corruption from the due process of the law. 

Thus far, we have made the following requests and demands:

. Written President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to fire the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr. Steve Kayuni as his refusal to grant ACB consent to prosecute Ashock Nair, an associate of the businessman Zuneth Sattar, who is suspected to have been involved in corrupt practices, is a clear example that he is a stumbling block in the fight against corruption in the country. 

. Written the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to immediately summon ACB director Martha Chizuma to reveal the person who recorded and leaked her controversial telephone conversation. It is again clear that President Dr. Chakwera has conveniently avoided to order relevant State agencies to act on the matter accordingly. All well-meaning Malawians expected the law enforcement agencies to be inquisitive on the matter, by trying to find all means to unmask the person who engaged Chizuma in that conversation. 

Regrettably, but not surprising, since the President did not show interest in the same according to his public statement on the matter, there is deafening silence from the Malawi Police Service and the National Intelligence Services (NIS) on this issue of national interest, hence our resolve to engage the MHRC;

We would like to condemn any attempts to bring in racial cards in this long-awaited fight against corruption. Corruption has nothing to do with a particular race or tribe. Let all Malawians stick to ethical ways and means of doing businesses, or risk facing the long arm of the law!

We, therefore, appeal to Malawians to desist at all cost from using one brush to paint everyone. The issue at hand involves businessperson Zuneth Sattar and his business associates—in short, it is about individuals, and not all people of Asian origin (Amwenye) in general. Let us avoid the temptation of creating another problem in the course of trying to solve the one at hand.

Once the MHRC investigations and recommendations are released, we will expect nothing but prompt action from the concerned State institutions; delays won’t be tolerated.

If our calls to fire the DPP are ignored, we will have no choice but to call for demonstrations until Dr. Kayuni is fired or resigns.

SIGNED 

Phunziro Mvula – Social Revolution Movement (SRM) 0999482170

Mundango Nyirenda- Concerned Citizen (0999759653)

Gomezgyani Nkhoma – Mzuzu Youth Caucus- (MYC) 08843808 94 

Sylvester Namiwa – Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) 0993462700.

Zainab Hassan-Concerned Citizen (0883476757).

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Here is Poctorial of the briefing