The People Have Spoken| Malawi’s Fight Against Corruption

            Whether it’s the Western investors, the protestors in Malawi, or President Joyce Banda’s own accord, there is a new waive of anticorruption sentiment within Malawi. This past week Banda removed a large portion of her cabinet from office due to speculations of embezzlement, and fraud. Members within Banda’s cabinet were caught with millions of Kwacha hidden in their homes.

President Joyce Banda

            Upon removing her cabinet members, Banda set up an investigation committee of police and government officials to seek out other forms of corruption. She has been pressured by recent protests in the capitol city of Lilongwe asking for the punishment of these government officials. Protests erupted this summer when Malawians were outraged by high fuel and food prices, and more importantly the increasingly authoritarian government. In the case of Malawi, citizens view the direction of government as being more authoritarian, and thus associated with an increase of corrupt methods.

            Recent developments within the government prove that Malawi citizens were in fact justified in their worries. With again the current cabinet members facing embezzlement and fraud charges, Malawians hit the streets. This time protestors went directly to Capitol Hill outside the Vice President Khumbo Kachali’s quarters. He spent the past three weeks answering to the accusations, and trying to assure the citizens that they were taking all steps necessary to rectify the situation.

            What is to come for Malawi after months of protests, corruption, and an opaque government? Many blogs written by Malawian intellectuals argue that President Banda herself is to blame for this recent scandal. They point out that she never claimed her assets publically, continued to hire corrupt personal, and only persecutes them after scandals erupt. There is high discontent with president Banda within Malawi, but her efforts to crack down on corruption are applauded in the West. I feel that unless Banda herself takes a more transparent role, the protests will not end, and neither will the distrust with government officials. Malawi has a long history of corruption, but citizens reached a breaking point this summer with allegations of rampant corruption. The people of Malawi have finally spoken, and corruption is their target.