Following concerted pressure from the country’s major donors and civil society groups, Malawi has dropped criminal charges against the head of the anti-corruption bureau (ACB), Martha Chizuma.
Chizuma was facing charges of criminal defamation over leaked audio in which she allegedly made comments suggesting that a number of senior government officials and some judicial officers were encumbering the fight against corruption.
In a statement over the weekend, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said he discontinued the cases following a review and consultation with the attorney general.
“I decided to discontinue the criminal case against Ms Chizuma in line with the prescriptions of the constitution and other relevant laws,” Masauko Chamkakala said.
However, Chizuma’s lawyer said the charges have not been formally dropped.
The alleged offensive remarks are contained in a secretly recorded private conversation that Chizuma had with a person not employed by her office.
The lawsuits saw her suspended from office before being reinstated to office last week by a high court.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union had all issued statements expressing “deep concern” over her suspension.