The Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee says it will move a Private Member’s Motion concerning the granting of consent to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Speaking during a news conference at Parliament Building in Lilongwe, the Committee’s Chairperson Peter Dimba said the move is aimed at bringing a Private Member’s Bill on the matter.

Dimba said the Committee has decided to make the decision following a move by the DPP which denied consent the graft-bursting to prosecute Ashok Nair.

“The Committee is of the opinion that section 42 of the CPA is an unnecessary hurdle and interferes with the independence of the ACB in the prosecution of cases.”

“The Committee will, therefore, move a Private Member’s Motion seeking leave of the House to bring a Private Member’s Bill on the matter concerning the granting of consent to the ACB by the DPP under the CPA,” said Dimba.

He added that section 42 of the Corrupt Practices Act is unnecessary hurdle and interferes with the independence of the ACB in the prosecution of cases.

In addition, Dimba said the Committee noted various challenges which the ACB is experiencing including erratic funding of cash flow due to Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) and inadequate security to its officers.

“The Committee will during this Budget Meeting of Parliament, make the necessary submissions for more funding to be given to ACB,” said Dimba.

The Committee had interface meetings at Parliament with the DPP Dr Steven Kayuni on the 2nd February, 2022 and the ACB Director General Martha Chizuma on February 16, 2022.