A nationwide investigation by Malawi24 has revealed that the prolonged stay of public officers at the same duty stations within local councils is significantly contributing to corruption and abuse of office across the country.
The findings, based on assessments conducted in councils nationwide, indicate that officers who remain in the same positions or locations for extended periods tend to develop unhealthy networks, excessive familiarity with systems, and undue influence factors that increase opportunities for corrupt practices.
Governance expert Christopher Melele, who is also Executive Director of the Mzimba Institute for Development Communications Trust (MIDCT), has supported the findings, describing long tenure at a single workstation as a major governance risk.
“When officials stay too long at one workplace, it creates room for corrupt practices. There is therefore a need to ensure that officers do not remain at one station for an extended period,” said Melele.
When officials stay too long at one workplace, it creates room for corrupt practices-Melele
He explained that frequent staff rotation promotes accountability, transparency, and professionalism, while preventing the formation of personal interests that undermine public service delivery.
Melele further noted that many corruption cases reported in councils often involve officers who have served in the same positions for many years without transfers, enabling them to manipulate systems meant to serve the public.
Another governance expert, Mashaka Banda from Chituka in Nkhata Bay District, echoed similar sentiments, calling for clear policy guidelines on staff rotation within local councils.
Banda proposed that council officers should serve a maximum of five years at one duty station before being transferred.
“Officers should not stay beyond five years at one working station. Rotation helps to break corruption networks and improves service delivery to citizens,” said Banda.
He added that regular transfers would expose officers to diverse working environments, enhance skills development, and restore public confidence in local governance systems.
Political analyst Thomas Chirwa, however, said that merely transferring District Commissioners from time to time may not be sufficient to curb corruption, as they work alongside technocrats who often remain in the same councils for long periods.
“Rotating District Commissioners alone cannot bring meaningful change if the technocrats they work with remain untouched. For reforms to be effective, staff rotation must be applied across all levels of council administration, not selectively,” said Chirwa.
Local people and, civil society organizations are calling on the Ministry of Local Government and other relevant authorities to review deployment policies for council staff.
As Malawi continues to strengthen its fight against corruption, experts argue that staff rotation within councils could be a critical step toward promoting integrity, accountability, and effective public service delivery.
