…MHRC opens independent investigations
Embattled Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Martha Chizuma has told the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) that the Malawi Police Services violated her rights during her arrest in early December 2022.
The MHRC has announced an independent investigation following Chizuma’s complaint and that of others including The Investigator Managing Editor Kondwani Munthali who has since expressed hope that the truth will finally emerge.
MHRC Executive Secretary Habiba Osman said Chizuma has complained to the constitutional body and they will investigate the arrest and what happened thereafter.
“This investigation is a continuation of a fact-finding mission that the Commission commenced when Ms. Chizuma was arrested and it has become apparent that through the complaints received that a comprehensive human rights investigation is required in this matter,” said Osman in a statement.
The MHRC says Chizuma said the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report covered up the issues that it did not report the violations.
Munthali in an interview said he was happy that Malawians will learn the truth which was twisted even in the Presidential Inquiry report.
“That report was incomplete; nowhere do you see them summarising the evidence of the main subject, Chizuma. The truth will shock Malawians, the purported meetings by Police never took place, people lied through and through and it was sad the Commission could not even see it,” he said.
The independent investigations are likely to reveal who ordered the arrest and who was involved in the plot and are likely to put President Chakwera in the spotlight again as he will be seen as having been part of the cover-up as his administration is bent on removing Chizuma.