In the first three years of the anti-corruption campaign, Mutharika’s
rhetoric about the harm done to Malawi’s development potential failed
to convince civil society organisations that he intends serious reform.
Unequal treatment of political opponents, major delays in investigations
after arrests were made and a lack of transparency in the process
(the ACB is accountable solely to the president) combined to give the
impression that the government was still dragging its feet against corruption.
In the 2005 and 2006 TI Corruption Perception Indices, Malawi
came lower (97th and 105th respectively) than in 2004, with its score
reduced to 2.7. Muhammad Sharif, Chair of the Public Affairs Committee,
which represents faith communities on political affairs, summed up the
mood of cynicism: ‘Are we saying that we can steal and remain safe as
long as one is in government?’