ACB DG position re‑advertised

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has re‑advertised the post of Director General (DG) of the Anti‑Corruption Bureau (ACB) for the third time in two years.

Since Martha Chizuma’s contract expired in June 2024, the bureau has had no substantive DG, relying instead on a succession of acting heads.

The post was last advertised in December 2025, but none of the eight shortlisted candidates were successful, prompting the latest re‑advertisement.

Current ACB acting boss: Chembezi

Reacting to the development, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira said the lengthy recruitment process does not inspire confidence and raises questions about the country’s commitment to fighting corruption.

“When all eight shortlisted candidates are deemed to have failed, government must publicly explain the scoring, assessment criteria and reasons for the wholesale rejection. Otherwise, repeated recruitment exercises can create a dangerous perception that the process is being prolonged until a preferred candidate emerges,” said Kambwandira.

In a separate interview, National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said the lengthy process of recruiting a substantive DG means the country cannot wage a credible and sustained fight against corruption as the institution at the centre of that fight remains under prolonged acting leadership.

Kondowe, who is also a private practice lawyer, said prolonged acting leadership could affect long-term strategic decision-making, staff confidence, institutional authority and perceptions of independence, especially when the ACB is required to investigate politically or economically powerful interests.

He said: “An anti-corruption institution needs leadership whose authority and tenure are beyond unnecessary uncertainty. Acting leadership should be a bridge to substantive leadership, not a permanent governance arrangement.”

Ombudsman Grace Malera, whose office ordered the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to restart the recruitment process and disqualified Hillary Chilomba and Oscar Taulo from the race in January 2025 for falling short of legal requirements, said there was nothing her office could do regarding the latest recruitment process.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango said government is taking its time to ensure that it makes the right decision in filling the vacant position.

“It is sad that when we were taking over government on September 16 2025, we found an acting director from 2024. It is a problem which we have inherited, but we cannot make decisions in a hurry. But I want to assure the nation that it will be resolved sooner than later,” he said.

Under Section 5(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, the name of the successful candidate is submitted to the President, who makes the appointment, subject to confirmation by Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee.

The current acting DG is lawyer Gabriel Chembezi.