Malawi drops charges against anti-corruption chief

Malawi has dropped criminal charges against the head of the anti-corruption agency following pressure from the country’s main donors and local civil society groups

Martha Chizuma was facing charges of criminal defamation over a leaked audio in which she allegedly made remarks suggesting that a number of senior government officials and some judicial officers were hindering the fight against corruption.

In a statement over the weekend, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said he discontinued the cases following a review and consultation with the attorney general.

"I decided to discontinue the criminal case against Ms Chizuma in line with the prescriptions of the constitution and other relevant laws,” Masauko Chamkakala said.

But Ms Chizuma's lawyer told Voice of America that the charges have not been formally dropped.

The alleged defamatory remarks are contained in a secretly recorded private conversation that Ms Chizuma had with a person not employed by her office.

The lawsuits saw her suspended from office before being reinstated to office last week by a high court.

The United States, the United Kingdom and European Union had all issued statements expressing “deep concern” over her suspension.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP