The Malawi High Court has overturned the government’s decision to suspend Martha Chizuma, the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), allowing her to resume her duties.
The suspension of Ms. Chizuma was announced last week by Colleen Zamba, secretary to the president and cabinet.
The litigation she faced after an audio recording of her comments reportedly made that suggested some judges and high-ranking government officials were impeding the battle against corruption was connected to her suspension.
One official who was offended by the idea filed a complaint against Ms. Chizuma, and she was detained as a result.
The opposition, as well as the country’s apex legal organization, the Lawyers Association of Malawi, strongly opposed her suspension.
The president was the only person legally able to appoint or dismiss the head of the anti-corruption committee, according to a statement from the attorneys’ association.
Lazarus Chakwera, the president of Malawi, has publicly stated that he will not dismiss Ms. Chizuma and has referred to the recording and distribution of the audio as “corruption fighting back.”
A judicial review request from the Malawi Law Society was approved by the court late on Monday.
