Bon Kalindo’s latest running show of his comedic talent has him using the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma as the punchline.
Since Chizuma’s crusade against corruption rode into town, she has courted the ire of Winiko, as Kalindo is known in entertainment circles.
When an audio recording leaked in January last year of Chizuma discussing with an unknown person how some churches, judges, lawyers and government officials were trying to block her efforts to handle corruption cases involving British-based businessman, Zuneth Sattar, Kalindo went to the streets baying for her blood.
He threatened President Lazarus Chakwera with a seven-day ultimatum to fire Chizuma or he would disrupt the nation with nationwide demonstrations.
“We know President Chakwera is weak and very indecisive on matters that boarder corruption. We saw it with Covid 19 funds which were abused. We saw it on the Cabinet reshuffle and we are seeing it again with Martha Chizuma.
“Unfortunately, Chizuma has no respect for the President. She is compromising our sovereignty and national security by collaborating with the imperialists who still want to rule and control us with the help of traitors,” Kalindo told the media then.
He even backed a lawsuit against Chizuma which was filed by Frighton Phombo at the Mzuzu Magistrates Court.
“This is why any good meaning Malawian including myself backs the case in Mzuzu. Some people think we are against the [ACB] director’s quest to fight corruption when we do this, no. This issue in not about corruption, this is about integrity and violation of the oath of secrecy.
“Chizuma is not untouchable, she is there to protect the law and if the court has given a go ahead for investigations into the audio to commence, if she is a person of integrity she must step aside to allow the due legal process to take place,” Kalindo said.
When Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested Sattar, Kalindo was very furious after learning that the UK firm worked hand-in-hand with the ACB.
Kalindo dared Chizuma to cite the law of the land she used to allow the Britons to have access to Malawi security agencies to the arm deals for which Sattar was arrested in the name of probing fraud.
“I’m giving you five days till Friday this week to explain to Malawians why you allowed this British firm to come to Malawi without respecting our sovereignty while arresting people without enough evidence.
“Much as I don’t condone corruption in Malawi, but ACB boss Chizuma is cruising fast which might cost this nation heavily.
She has ill-motives when handling issues at ACB which we will not allow. Chizuma must come clear on her involvement in hiring a relation as former Ombudsman if the nation must trust her,” said Kalindo in January, this year
He further asked Attorney General Chakaka Nyirenda to explain to the nation on which law did the British firm use to invade Malawi territory on arms deal probe.
“We will mobilise Malawians to stage protests at your offices until you give good reasons for allowing the Britons to muzzle us otherwise better resigns as you have proved to be incompetent,” he said.
After all this action, Winiko has changed tune.
On Friday, he staged demonstrations protesting against Chizuma’s interdiction.
Kalindo told the media that together with some concerned legislators would like to find out why president Chakwera allowed the interdiction, yet he said he had forgiven her.
Whether it is pure political activism or he just loves blowing with the wind, nobody knows. Or, perhaps, Kalindo himself knows.
