By Peter Phiri:
Justice Minister Titus Mvalo has expressed optimism that the newly assented to Amended Corrupt Practices Act will help fast track prosecution of corruption cases in the country.
On Friday last week, President Lazarus Chakwera assented to seven bills that were passed by parliament among them the Amended Corrupt Practices Act.
Among other things the new law is empowering Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to commence prosecution of Corruption cases without seeking consent from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Addressing members of the Press in Lilongwe on Monday, Mvalo who was accompanied by Information Minister Gospel Kazako, said with the new law he is expecting the ACB to act with speed in the prosecution of corruption cases.
“Definitely I expect that cases will be handled much quicker than before. As regards to disposal of cases before court that depends on several factors and ACB has no power over that,” said Mvalo.
Currently there are 80 corruption related cases before the court from the current and previous administrations.
ACB has a total of 29 full time lawyers, an improved number from 12 which were at the Bureau.
There are also four more private lawyers who the Bureau engages.
The passing of the amended law is expected to put to an end an outstanding verbal war between the ACB Director General and Director of Public Prosecution as the former has been accusing the latter of frustrating prosecution of corruption cases by refusing to grant consent.
