Martha Chizuma
Martha Chizuma | |
|---|---|
| Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau | |
| Appointed by | Lazarus Chakwera |
| President | Lazarus Chakwera |
| Preceded by | Reyneck Matemba |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Malawian |
| Alma mater | University of Malawi, Chancellor College, University of East London |
Martha Chizuma was director of Malawi's anti-corruption bureau. She was appointed on 29 April 2021 after serving as Malawi's first woman ombudsman since 2015.[1] Her contract was not renewed after it ended in 31 March 2024.[2] Prior to that, she served as the Senior Resident Magistrate in the courts of Malawi.
Education
[edit]Chizuma holds a Masters of Laws in International Economic Law from the University of East London and Bachelor of Laws with Honors (LLB) from University of Malawi, Chancellor College.
Controversy
[edit]In January 2022, a phone call recording between Chizuma and an unidentified man was leaked.[3] In the phone call, she alleged that judges and magistrates were part of a corruption syndicate. She was accused of being unprofessional for the alleged discussion.[4]
In January 2022, members of Malawi's diplomatic missions also faulted Martha Chizuma for recruiting a United Kingdom agency to do investigations on behalf of the anti-corruption bureau.[5]
On 6 December 2022, Chizuma was arrested in connection to a leaked audio clip in which she spoke with another person about the fight against corruption in the country.[6] She was released on bail the same day of her arrest.[7]
Following the pressure from the executive, Chizuma´s contract as Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau Director was not renewed. The Deputy Director General Mr. Hillary Chilomba is now Acting Director General since 5 June 2024 [8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Chakwera appoints legal bulldozer, Martha Chizuma as New ACB Czar - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Malawi's anti-corruption chief leaves post". dw.com. 2024-05-31. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- ^ "Martha Chizuma exposes herself". Malawi 24. 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
- ^ "MLS says Chizuma broke oath of office when she talked to Orama Namalomba in leaked audio". www.nyasatimes.com. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
- ^ "Chizuma faulted over UK agency 'capture'". Malawi 24. 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Malawi Anti-Corruption director Chizuma arrested". Malawi24. 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ^ "Malawian anti-corruption head detained as graft scandal escalates". Malawi24. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
- ^ "Update on ACB Acting Director General - Anti-Corruption Bureau Director". acbmw.org. 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-06-05.