The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has announced plans to recover stolen assets as part of efforts to strengthen Malawi’s national budget and curb economic malpractice.
ACB Director General Gabriel Chembezi said the bureau would use civil mechanisms to forfeit properties obtained through corruption. “We are going to aid the budget by recovering a lot of assets that were stolen by various people in this country,” he stated, emphasizing that the bureau’s strategies will soon be implemented.
Chembezi highlighted the importance of aligning budget expectations with available resources. “Budget is one thing, and the resources are another. I am hoping that the budget presented by the Minister of Finance reflects the President’s vision and ambition as outlined in the State of the Nation Address,” he added.
President Arthur Peter Mutharika, in his State of the Nation Address, acknowledged widespread corruption and mismanagement as factors behind Malawi’s economic challenges.
He said his government had taken steps to restore order, including halting fraudulent contracts, auditing public workers, and enforcing merit-based appointments.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to accountability, warning that no official would be shielded from investigation.
“Anyone involved in corrupt malpractices will be arrested. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Cabinet Minister, party official, or Member of Parliament. There will be no sacred cows,” he said.
Mutharika also outlined measures to revive the economy, citing stabilization of commodity prices, support for farmers, and infrastructure projects across transport, energy, and tourism sectors.
Efforts to decentralize development funds and enhance transparency were emphasized as key pillars of his administration’s strategy.
The address concluded with a call for national unity and good governance. “Let us make Malawi a land of justice,” the President said, urging all branches of government to prioritize the welfare of citizens and the responsible management of public resources.
