Village headman Mzoma in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwalweni in Rumphi has asked the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to target everyone involved in corruption without considering people’s financial standing.
Mzoma was speaking during a prize presentation ceremony at Chitimba Primary School in Rumphi on Sunday, following a football bonanza ACB organized as part of anti-corruption clinics ACB is conducting in the district.
In an interview, the local leader said sometimes the rich get away with crimes because they have the financial muscle and urged ACB to enforce the law fairly for all in order to build a prosperous Malawi that benefits all.
“The anti-corruption messages they have shared are very important, especially to us as chiefs because we also handle cases at village level. We have learnt more on what the law says about corruption and chiefs must refrain from indulging in corruption.
“However, ACB must ensure that everyone is treated equally before the law, including when their own are culprits. They are also human beings and can also be tempted to engage in corrupt dealings,” he said.
Senior Public Education Officer for ACB, Boniface Ng’oma, said he is impressed with how the people have responded to their anti-corruption clinics.
“We have been to schools; we have had public engagements and organized two football bananzas at Mzokoto and Chtimba in the district so far to engage people on the services the bureau offers.
“We have also been able to collect some suspected corruption complaints, which is a core part of this exercise and those that require further investigation will be referred to the relevant offices within the bureau for further attention,” he said.