HRCC urges President Chakwera to take action on Chizuma arrest inquiry findings

The Human Rights Consultant Committee (HRCC) is calling on Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera to act on the recommendations made by the commission of inquiry into the controversial arrest of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma in December 2022.

During a press conference, HRCC Board Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba stated that Chizuma should be held accountable for discussing sensitive information with a third party, which led to her arrest following a complaint from suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steve Kayuni.

Mkwezalamba urged the president to take action in accordance with the recommendations, while another HRCC member, Alfred Mkunika, added that Chizuma is not above the law and should be disciplined for breaking it.

Another group of Civil Society Organizations also made a similar call to President Chakwera last week.

However, some Malawians have criticized the report, stating that it failed to investigate who ordered Chizuma’s arrest and instead focused on her alleged wrongdoings.

Chizuma was arrested on December 6, 2022 and later released unconditionally following public backlash.