Masauko Edwin Chamkakala

Masauko Chamkakala scoop 14 out of 16 vote to become the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), from the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) voting.

Chamkakala’s approval prevail days after he was appointed by the State President Lazarus Chakwera to replace the fired director, Steven Kayuni, for his role in the arrest of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma.

PAC chairperson, Joyce Chitsulo said the committee comes to satisfactory with Chamkakala’s performance as Legal Aid Bureau director.

“One of the things members wanted to learn from him was how he was going to make sure that there is harmony among the agencies fighting corruption and how he will enhance the working relationship between the offices of the DPP and the ACB.

We already know what he is capable of, and looking at how he has transformed Legal Aid Bureau, we know that if given this chance he will also do well in his new office,” said Chitsulo.

Chitsulo described Chamkakala as a suitable candidate for the position, saying the committee was optimistic that he will deliver in his new role just as he did at his former office

Chamkakala leaving parliament

Further-on the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) says scrutinising of a defamation case against Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma is among assignments on his to-do list.

Chamkakala ensured Malawians to expect a new way of handling issues. He conceded there is a lot of work to be done.

He also described as history conspicuous differences between the office under his predecessor and the
ACB director general.

On how his office will handle offences against Chizuma filed by his predecessor over her leaked audio conversation, Chamkakala said he needed some time to look at the issues.

In a brief response, he said: “I will have to examine those and other matters once I get into office.”

Chizuma, who is expected to take plea on February 8 2023 in the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court under criminal case number 236 of 2023, is facing two counts of making use of speech to lower the authority of a person before whom a judicial proceeding is being handled which the State claims is against Section 113 (d) of the Penal Code.

The summons mentions the authority as High Court of Malawi Judge Simeon Mdeza whom it says Chizuma suggested took a bribe.

The second count is making use of speech capable of prejudicing a person against a party to judicial proceedings by indicating in the audio that he was corrupt and compromised.

President Lazarus Chakwera fired Kayuni on January 18 this year following a report by a commission of inquiry headed by retired Justice of Appeal Edward Twea which faulted both Chizuma and Kayuni for lack of sound judgement.

The inquiry said Kayuni, who lodged a criminal defamation complaint against Chizuma, demonstrated lack of sound judgement by prioritising his self-interest over the responsibility of his office in relation to the leaked audio where Chizuma purportedly disclosed investigation details to a third party in January last year.

On the other hand, the report said Chizuma committed offences and that she also demonstrated lack of sound judgement in the leaked audio, and recommended appropriate action to deal with her conduct.

On 6 December, 2022 police arrested Chizuma following Kayuni’s complaint, and drove her about 50 kilometres out of Lilongwe City to Namitete Police Station.

PAC  also confirmed Hillary Chilomba  as new deputy director general for ACB replacing Elia Bodole whose contract expired.

According to  Chitsulo, Chilomba got  14 votes, one voted no while one member abstained.

Speaking to journalists Chilomba said he is ready to serve his country.