By Chisomo Phiri
The Special Law Commission on the Development of Legislation on the Protection of Whistle-blowers in Malawi has recommended that whistle-blowers disclose matters related to national security, particularly those involving corruption within security agencies like the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), to Parliament.
The recommendation is aimed at creating a more transparent process for handling such disclosures while protecting national security interests.
Currently, matters of national security are protected from disclosure under the law.
Chief Law Reform Officer for the Law Commission and Lead Program Officer for the Development of Legislation on the Protection of Whistle-blowers Tapiwa Banda, made this recommendation during an engagement meeting organized by the National Democracy Institute (NDI) in Lilongwe on Wednesday.
Banda mentioned that the Commission identified specific areas where transparency is crucial, including recruitment, procurement, and administrative matters, which could potentially highlight misconduct and illegal activities.
She stated that the Commission used the Tshwane Principles as a guide for handling disclosures affecting national security.
“The Defence and Security Committee of Parliament will review whether to proceed with investigations into such disclosures,” she said.
On his part, Mathews Kajani, Team Leader for the Mzuzu Youth Anti-Corruption Movement, urged the Law Commission to expedite the enactment of the Whistle-blower Protection Bill.
