The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives, CDEDI, has formally asked Attorney General Hon Frank Mbeta to step down pending the logical conclusion of an alleged corruption case, warning that his continued stay in office risks eroding public trust in the fight against corruption.
At a press briefing in Blantyre, where he read out a letter dated February 17, 2026, addressed to the Attorney General and copied to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa stated that the organization was exercising its watchdog role on behalf of Malawians, demanding transparency and accountability in public office.
The civil society body references claims revived by lawyer and human rights defender Alexious Kamangila, who alleged that Mbeta once obtained a court order stopping the Anti-Corruption Bureau from executing a warrant of arrest after concluding investigations into a matter allegedly bordering on corruption.
According to CDEDI, its own investigations confirmed that Judge Zione Ntaba of the Zomba High Court granted the order. The organization says the development has unsettled citizens who are increasingly vocal about what they describe as systemic abuse of court injunctions to block arrests and investigations.
“While Malawians are joining hands to fight endemic corruption at the Judiciary, they are faced with this harsh reality that the head of the bar himself is an alleged beneficiary of the very system Malawians have vowed to address,” said Namiwa.
CDEDI further argued that many Malawians remain in the dark regarding how the alleged corruption case involving the Attorney General was concluded.
The organization warned that his continued silence on the matter risks being interpreted by the public as an indirect admission of the allegations, a perception they say could erode public trust in the office.
The organization notes that as Chief Legal Advisor to the Executive, Parliament, and the Judiciary, Mbeta holds a position that demands unquestionable integrity. It says the resurfacing of the case reflects negatively on both the office and the broader national anti-corruption agenda.
“It is therefore our considered view that Counsel Kamangila’s allegations have brought with them an opportunity for you to exonerate yourself by updating the nation on how that matter in the Zomba High Court was concluded,” Namiwa states.
CDEDI concludes by urging the Attorney General to recuse himself if the matter remains unresolved, saying stepping aside would allow state agencies to carry out their duties independently and help restore confidence in Malawi’s commitment to fighting corruption.
