By SEBASTIAN NYIRENDA
The Church and Society Program of the Church of
Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia has tipped journalists
to probe how people in senior and authoritative posts in government are
recruited and fired saying this will make them excel in reporting corruption.
The society’s Executive Director, Moses Mkandawire was speaking
to journalists in Mzuzu on the state of corruption in Malawi.
During the discussions Mkandawire also introduced the birth
of a new organization called ‘The
United Against Serious Corruption Movement’ and he noted that corruption
is rampant because authoritative figures are up to serving their masters’
vested interests.
Mkandawire said the Movement has discovered that
authoritative positions are fertile grounds for corruption and organised
crime.
“While the society salutes Journalists in the fight against
corruption, we also ask you to look into how recruiting and firing
is done in non government organisations including churches,” he said.
He observed that while nepotism is one element of drivers of corruption,
Journalists have not done much in bursting corruption in areas of recruiting
and firing senior figures in government and parastatals.
“We are aware that issues of safety are fundamental where Journalists need to
be protected from their attackers but that cannot be an excuse.
We are also aware that some of you Journalists receive bribes from corrupt
officials to cover-up corruption acts hence lack of progress,” Mkandawire said.
Mkandawire said the Movement is concerned with the state of corruption
in Malawi noting that during the past five years Malawi has not done enough in
the fight as compared to other countries.
He said as Malawi goes for tripartite polls on May 21 this
year, it is crucial that anyone contesting must have an agenda for fighting
corruption.
Meanwhile, the Movement has announced that it will start awarding
outstanding Journalists who will triumph with best stories in reporting corruption.
Nyika Media Club Chairperson Mandy Pondani expressed gratitude at the
movement’s role in orienting journalists on corrupt practices, saying the
briefing was an eye opener.
