The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has called on Malawians to stand up and hold corrupt leaders accountable before the country suffers further damage.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 24, 2025, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa backed recent remarks by United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi, who warned that corruption is killing Malawi. Namiwa has stressed that corruption and theft have become widespread, robbing citizens, especially the poor, of vital services and putting Malawi’s democracy in danger.
CDEDI has reminded the public that in February 2025, the organization launched “The People Power Forum,” a campaign to promote transparency by encouraging citizens to help audit the lifestyles of public officials. The aim is to ensure that government leaders live within their means and are held accountable for their wealth.
However, CDEDI says progress has stalled because the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has failed to act on their request for a toll-free line, saying that the line would have allowed the public to nominate officials for lifestyle audits.
Namiwa also expressed concern over the government’s failure to fill key positions in anti-corruption bodies, such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), calling it a clear sign that the current leadership is not serious about fighting corruption.
In response, CDEDI says it will use the Public Officers’ Declaration of Assets Act to begin auditing selected officials. The first two are Minister of Finance Hon. Simplex Chithyola-Banda and Minister of Local Government Hon. Richard Chimwendo Banda.
According to the statement, both ministers have been asked to publicly explain their wealth compared to what they declared in 2019.
CDEDI has urged all Malawians and supporters of transparency to join the cause and support the People Power Forum initiative.
(By Fegson Phabuli)