LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) has called on Malawi’s newly elected President to demonstrate firm moral leadership by ensuring integrity and accountability in Cabinet appointments and by strengthening key oversight institutions that have long suffered from inefficiency and political interference.
In a statement signed by NACA Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa, the alliance congratulated the President on his election victory, describing it as a moment that has rekindled hope among Malawians for a government rooted in honesty, transparency and service to the people.
Kaiyatsa said the new administration faces a historic opportunity to rebuild national trust and make a decisive break from the culture of impunity that has weakened governance over the years.
He said the first major test of the new leadership lies in the choice of Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
According to NACA, public trust has eroded not because Malawi lacks policies or vision but because individuals facing serious corruption allegations have continued to occupy influential positions in government.
The alliance urged the President not to appoint anyone with ongoing corruption cases until they have cleared their names before the courts, arguing that doing so would send a powerful message that justice and integrity will define the new administration.
“By exempting such individuals at this critical juncture, Your Excellency will signal that your administration values justice over patronage and service over personal connections,” the statement read.
“This decision will inspire confidence among citizens and reassure development partners that Malawi is committed to a clean break from the past,”Kaiyatsa added in a statement
NACA further urged the President to prioritise the revitalisation of oversight and accountability institutions that have lost credibility. The alliance singled out five offices it said require immediate reform the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), the Office of the Director of Public Declarations of Assets and the Office of the Auditor-General.
According to the statement, the ACB, once seen as the vanguard of the country’s anti-corruption fight, has been reduced to handling minor cases while high-level corruption remains untouched.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, on the other hand, was criticised for failing to conclude major corruption cases and for controversially withdrawing others against recommendations from Parliament.
NACA called on the President to commission an investigation into the DPP’s conduct and to consider appointing new leadership to restore credibility.
The alliance also expressed concern over the FIA’s ineffectiveness in curbing money laundering and illicit financial flows, saying the institution has not demonstrated visible results despite its critical mandate.
The Office of the Director of Public Declarations of Assets was described as largely inactive and ineffective in enforcing transparency among public officers, while the Auditor-General’s office was faulted for producing audit reports that have not led to any meaningful accountability or action.
To restore public confidence, NACA recommended the establishment of an independent, high-level task force to review the mandates, performance, and governance of the five key institutions.
The task force, the alliance suggested, should include representatives from the judiciary, Parliament, civil society and development partners to ensure independence and transparency. It would also be expected to propose immediate legislative, administrative and financial reforms to strengthen institutional effectiveness and accountability.
Kaiyatsa described this period as a defining moment in the nation’s democratic journey, urging the President to act decisively in setting a new moral tone for the country.
He said the path the President takes, beginning with Cabinet appointments and institutional reforms, will determine the direction of his administration and the legacy he leaves behind.
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