By Malawi Exclusive
President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says he is dismayed by reports of corruption in the highest offices of his administration.
President Chakwera was reacting to the reports released by the National Crimes Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom (UK) implicating some of his government officers including his Vice President Saulos Chilima.
The Malawi leader expressed his frustration that the investigations bodies in the countries did not notice that Zunneth Sattar was in the country in March, a development he said was a missed opportunity to make progress on the matter.
“I feel the same distress you do from hearing the allegations of corruption in the highest offices in the land and am as frustrated as you are to hear that the British suspect was in the country but none of these agencies investigating him hear noticed. That’s missing a golden opportunity to make progress on the matter.”
The President said while he wants corruption cases being handled with urgency he will not will not be guided by emotions in dealing with issues that require the law.
The State President said his office is bound by the constitution and he will always uphold the principles of justice in the fight against corruption regardless of his feelings and frustrations on the matter.
“Of course, I respect the credibility of courts in other countries like the United Kingdom. According to law without fear or favour affection or ill will. That means my decisions as president must uphold certain principles of justice regardless of my feelings and my frustrations. We cannot sacrifice these principles in the name of anger,” said the President.
He reiterated his commitment to ensure that the Anti-Corruption Bureau is operating without any interference.
The President was speaking at Kamuzu Palace at the Press Briefing addressing Malawians to on his trip to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and the African Union Extraordinary summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
At the press conference President Chakwera announced the appointment of Coleen Zamba as the new Chief Secretary replacing Zangazanga Chikhosi who has been assigned other duties.