* One of the key resolutions was the need to strengthen the operational and financial independence of anti-corruption agencies to improve their effectiveness
* Member states also agreed to accelerate the transition from manual procurement systems to electronic procurement platforms to enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption
By Innocent Manda, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
Anti-corruption agencies from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states have adopted a set of reforms aimed at strengthening efforts to combat corruption through enhanced transparency, procurement integrity, asset recovery and regional cooperation.
Advertisement
The resolutions were adopted during a regional conference of SADC Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies which Malawi hosted over this week at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, the SADC Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies chairperson, Gabriel Chembezi, who is acting Director General of Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), said one of the key resolutions was the need to strengthen the operational and financial independence of anti-corruption agencies to improve their effectiveness.
Chembezi said member states also agreed to accelerate the transition from manual procurement systems to electronic procurement platforms to enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption.
“Manual systems of procurement leave a lot of discretion in the management of the procurement system, but e-procurement will make it easier to track transactions and flag corruption elements within the system,” he said.
Gabriel Chembezi
Chembezi added that the regional anti-corruption agencies further resolved to strengthen laws requiring disclosure of beneficial ownership information to help authorities identify individuals who secretly control companies and may benefit from improperly awarded public contracts.
“When a company is given a contract, we should be able to identify the people behind that company and determine whether the contract was awarded fairly or as a result of corruption.”
Chembezi further said member states agreed to strengthen civil asset forfeiture mechanisms to enable authorities to recover proceeds of crime through civil proceedings.
“That’s where you hit the suspect hard because you not only take away the stolen property, but you also incapacitate them from committing further crimes,” said Chembezi.
Successful implementation of the resolutions would require legislative reforms, stronger institutional cooperation, enhanced financial investigations, wider use of digital technologies and greater financial independence for anti-corruption agencies.
Advertisement
SADC Human Security Officer Jacinta Hofnie said the conference demonstrated the region’s commitment to strengthening anti-corruption efforts through cooperation, policy reforms and innovative measures aimed at safeguarding public resources.
“Corruption undermines development, weakens public trust and diverts resources from essential services,” Hofnie said. “Through these resolutions, member states have demonstrated a shared commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance across the region.”
The conference also emphasised the importance of public procurement integrity, beneficial ownership disclosure, whistleblower protection, asset recovery mechanisms and the use of digital technologies in combating corruption and financial crimes.
The conference noted progress made under the SADC Strategic Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2023-2027) and reaffirmed commitment to regional, continental and international anti-corruption frameworks aimed at strengthening accountability, governance and sustainable development.
Delegations from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Mauritius, Madagascar, eSwatini and other SADC member and partner states attended the conference. Leadership of the regional anti-corruption body was subsequently handed over to eSwatini under Maphevu Mkhathswa.
Advertisement