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Two complaints were made to the Bureau in regard to the
telecommunications industry. One involved the apparent corrupt authorisation of a paging
system to a local businessman, and the other touched upon a new company called MalawiNet
Ltd. Both of these investigations are ongoing.
Other investigations into serious allegations of corruption include a
complaint of corruption against a senior Immigration Officer; corruption in the Road
Traffic Commission; an allegation that a senior executive in a Statutory Corporation is in
possession of property disproportionate to his of financial income; corruption in the
procuring of computer equipment for the Pay Personnel and Pension
project under the Accountant General's
Department; alleged corruption touching upon the award of a contract by the Ministry of
Works and Supplies, for road rehabilitation and alleged corruption of public officers in
several departments by a private company.
MATTERS WHICH CONCERN MANY MALAWIANS
A study of the complaints and reports which have been received by
the Bureau during the pert od under review indicates that many Malawians are concerned
about matters which touch upon or affect their day-to-day needs. Some- examples are
as follows—
The corrupt acquisition of land in rural areas where only those who
have the money to pay bribes are favoured;
Traditional authorities who demand bribes in order to favour
applicants for land or in order to pervert the course of justice, etc.;
Delays in obtaining passports and the need to pay bribes to speed up
the process;
Delays,in Police responding to complaints and the payment, of bribes
at roadblocks;
Unfair trade practices especially in the procurement process;
Smuggling and evasion of customs duty and sales taxes;
Injustice at work places especially in the recruiting processes
whereby personnel officers demand bribes to favour applicants for jobs and thereafter make
a demand for a monthly payment;
General abuse and misuse of office by public officers who demand
favours in return for doing their jobs.
What is apparent is that people at grass-root level are very supportive
of the establishment of the Bureau and there is a ready willingness at this level to come
forward with reports and to follow these up with statements. This willingness is
regrettably not always shared by all sectors of society. There are some people who appear
content to make reports, often to the media, but when followed up by the Bureau are
reluctant to substantiate their complaints or to become willing witnesses.
The Bureau hopes therefore that everyone who makes a complaint will be
prepared to follow this up by making a statement and if necessary appear in court as a
witness. By so doing, they will help the Bureau to be more effective.
THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU
P.O. BOX 2437
LILONGWE
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