PAC approves Chamkakala, Chilomba as DPP, Deputy DG for ACB

The Public Appointments Committee of Parliament has approved the appointment of Masauko Chamkakala and Hilary Chilomba as the new Director of Public Prosecution and Deputy Director General for Anti-Corruption Bureau respectively.

The two appointees on Monday appeared before the Public Appointments Committee in Lilongwe for interviews and possible confirmation.

87.5% of the total members of committees present threw their support behind Chamkakala as the new Director of Public Prosecution as 14 of 16 members voted form him, Chairperson for the PAC confirms.

“He has impressed us since we already know his track record having worked at Legal Aid Bureau as such we believe he is the right person to execute the duties of the DPP,” said Chitsulo.

Chamkakala was appointed as the new DPP replacing Dr. Steven Kayuni who was ‘fired’ by President Lazarus Chakwera some days ago.

Chakwera fired Kayuni from the position of DPP for what he described as “unsound judgement” by the former DPP for his involvement in the arrest of Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General Martha Chizuma.

Kayuni launched a complaint to the police that he felt injured by what the ACB boss alleged in a leaked audio clip that had to do with frustrations in investigations of alleged corrupt dealings by a United Kingdom-based businessperson.

The complaint led to the arrest of Chizuma in the wee hours of December 6 , 2022, but she was released on the same day after a public backlash.

Section 100(1) gives the President power to appoint the DPP but his prerogative is subject to confirmation of the appointed individual by Pac.
The new DPP, Chamkakala comes to the prosecutorial Agency with vast experience in criminal litigations after working in government departments for many years helping the needy on pro bono basis.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Laws( Honours) from the University of Malawi in 2003 he went to pursue his Master Degree in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law( Distinction) which he obtained at Ohio Northern College of Law in the United States of America.

Meanwhile, making his remarks after the approval, Chamkakala has vowed to bring change and enhance the working relationship with the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Same to Hilary Chilomba, 14 of 16 members of the committee also approved his appointment as the new Deputy Director General for Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Chitsulo said that the committee has trusted Hilary after having thorough investigation regarding his record.

“We have given him a chance to work after a thorough investigation regarding his record. You know he once worked at the same institution so were eager to know why he left ACB, only to learn that his contract got expired contrary to social media allegations that he was dismissed over wrongdoing,” Chitsulo said.

The State President Lazarus Chakwera appointed Hilary Chilomba as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) deputy director General to replace Elia Bodole whose contract has just expired.