Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has reinstated a mandatory vetting and clearance process for all ownership changes involving motor vehicles, land and housing in a renewed effort to prevent the concealment of assets linked to corruption.
The measure, which took effect on Thursday, requires all transactions in these categories to undergo screening before ownership is transferred.
ACB acting director general Gabriel Chembezi said the bureau has notified the Department of Road Traffic and Safety Services, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Malawi Housing Corporation, and all city and district councils about the decision.
“We appeal to public officials of the above-mentioned institutions as well as members of the public to cooperate with the ACB in this exercise and desist from indulging in any form of corrupt practices aimed at frustrating the process” Chembezi said in a statement.
Chembezi said the process would be completed within four working days to avoid delays.
Originally suspended in August 2021, the vetting system was flagged for possible reinstatement should circumstances warrant.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny of asset declarations and illicit enrichment in Malawi’s public sector, with the bureau intensifying efforts to track and recover proceeds of corruption.
JN/APA