Corruption: Will Joyce Banda Fire Herself?

Published on 29th October 2013

HE Banda Joyce
Malawi’s president, Joyce Banda, dissolved her cabinet after it came to light that her government was either ignoring or condoning malpractices. She stole thunder last year when the late Bingu wa Mutharika’s courtiers attempted to stop her from taking the oath of president as the Malawi constitution stipulates.

Malawians threw their support behind Banda believing she’d reverse the economic limbo that Malawi was experiencing. However, things didn’t work as Malawians expected. Instead of addressing the problems Malawians faced, she embarked on vengeance against Mutharika’s inner circle. Malawi’s Kwacha was devalued in her watch as nepotism and corruption allegations against her started showing up.

After firing the cabinet, her supporters started singing praises in her support, little knowing that she was acting on donor pressure. The EU is on record to have warned Banda to put her house in order.  “There is need for a cleanup before we make our disbursement,” Alexander Baum, the Head of EU Malawi mission said. Pressure on Banda was exerted after a top finance ministry official and anti-corruption crusader, Paul Mphwiyo, was shot at and wounded last month.

Last year, Banda’s minister of justice who also is attorney general, Raphael Kasambara,  admitted to have spent public money without following proper procedure. He was not fired.  Did Kasamabara’s firing need EU’s pressure?  Kasambara’s case is but a drop in the ocean of Banda’s administration regarding graft. Banda was required recently declare her wealth as a step towards combating graft. Sadly though, she refused.

Looking at the mess Malawi is in under a female president, the whole belief that females are less corrupt than men does not hold water.  Refer to the scam involving another female Liberian president whose children are in high offices undeservedly. She had to fire her sons in order to save her face.

If Banda seriously aims at dealing with the vestiges of corruption, when will she fire herself given that she is enmeshed in it?

By Nkwazi Mhango

A Canada based Tanzanian and author of Saa Ya Ukombozi.


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