SPEECH
BY
THE GOVERNOR OF THE RESERVE BANK OF MALAWI
Mr DALITSO KABAMBE, PhD
ON THE
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF TIP-OFFS ANONYMOUS
PROGRAMME
11 JULY 2017
Statement by the Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor,
Dalitso Kabambe, PhD on the Official Launch of the RBM
Tip-offs Anonymous Scheme
- The Director, of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mr Lucas
Kondowe;
- The Director, Financial Intelligence Authority, Mrs
Atuweni Juwayeyi-Agbermodji;
- The Representative From Deloitte Tip-Offs Anonymous,
Mrs Vanda Phekani;
- The Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Ms Meg
Kajiyanike;
- The Deputy Governor, Economics and Regulation, Dr
Grant P. Kabango;
- Members of Staff in the Reserve Bank;
- Members of the Press here present;
- Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Cashgate is the worst tragedy this nation has witnessed in
modern times. Our nation has been taken backwards many
years while our sister countries from within the region and
beyond have progressed. We have learnt bitter lessons and
bounce back as an economy, we need to move with renewed
commitment and zeal to fight corruption in all its forms in all
our places.
This is the reason why, among the core principles, His
Excellency Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika, the President of the
Republic of Malawi, is advocating that we must be a nation
not only of hard working and patriotism but also of high
integrity.
When I got appointed on 21st April, this year, when I was
asked about priorities, I included one where the Reserve Bank
of Malawi plays a central role in ensuring that no public
money under any circumstances to be pilfered through theft.
I am delighted therefore today that I am joined by the Director
of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mr Lucas Kondowe, the
Director of the Financial Intelligence Authority, Mrs Atuweni
Juwayeyi-Agbermodji and the Deloitte's representative Mrs
Vanda Phekani, as we launch the first scheme towards the
fight against corruption in the RBM and on public resources.
In a few days' time from today, the RBM will also be
launching another scheme, whereby for any payment above a
particular threshold, say K5 million, from Government
resources, an alert in form of a text message will be sent to the
Minister of Finance, the Secretary to the Treasury, the
Accountant General and the Budget Director and the
respective Minister from which the transaction is being
charged, the Principle Secretary in that Ministry, the Head of
Finance and all those who need to know about the transaction
will be informed by way of their mobile phones so that where
the transaction is dubious, immediate corrective measures can
be taken.
We live in a changing world. In the past, we were worried
with people standing by the roadside at night to steal from us,
today thieves have become sophisticated and are in white
collar, robbing us in broad day light and often these acts are
perpetrated by those we trust and in position. We need to
remain vigilant and we need to raise our sophistication even
more, so that they do not beat us. This is why the RBM is
leading the way in complementing Government efforts and
those of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Financial
Intelligence Authority and others to ensure that the RBM is
free of corruption in all its staff, premises, processes and
systems.
We stand here to declare total war on corruption. It is
therefore my absolute delight that I can preside over this
function.
The Board of the Reserve Bank of Malawi also recently
approved our Fraud and Anti-corruption Policy, which defines
the stance of the Bank on fraud and corruption. The Policy
reinforces existing systems, policies and procedures, rules and
regulations of the Bank towards the fight against fraud and
corruption. It aims at deterring, preventing, detecting, reacting
to and reducing the likelihood of fraud and corruption. The
Policy confirms the Bank's commitment to a culture of zero
tolerance to fraud and corruption in all its forms within and
"Not in the
outside the Bank. Our Motto speaks for itself,
Reserve Bank of
Malawi".
The Tip-Offs Anonymous is one of the measures of curbing
corruption within the Bank. With the Tip-Offs Anonymous,
you can report malpractices and still remain anonymous
which has proven a success with other public institutions. I
am sure that this whistle-blower hotline creates a better
alternative for members of staff and the general public to
report any unethical behaviours.
I am aware that misguided persons may want to misuse the
system to the detriment of others. Let me be clear here that
each and every reported item would be thoroughly
investigated and scrutinised before arriving at a conclusion.
Ladies and gentlemen, some of you might wonder why the
public launch and not just issue an internal communication to
members of staff. This programme has to be used by all
stakeholders who deal with the Bank including the general
public if we are to win the war against fraud and corruption.
We would like the general public to report on many issues
including;
a. Production of counterfeit currency;
b. Illegal externalisation of currency;
c. Operation of unlicensed financial institutions;
d. Fraud and mismanagement;
e. Corrupt practices;
f. Abuse of office and office facilities;
g. Procurement related malpractices.
It is therefore, against this background, distinguished guests,
ladies and gentlemen that the Bank decided to subscribe to
Tip-Offs Anonymous as a mechanism for early detection and
a deterrent against fraud, corruption and any unethical
concerns the Bank may encounter.
I am particularly pleased, therefore, to note that the
programme has already started producing fruits and it is
expected that with this launch, more reports will be received.
It is imperative that we should, indeed, be adequately familiar
with the reporting procedures like the Toll Free hotline, the
postal address, emails and the website as they have to become
part of our daily operations in reporting any malpractices
observed.
Ladies and gentlemen, this programme will only work if
people use it. I therefore, urge you to take this programme
seriously as it is the safe way to report any malpractices and
remain anonymous and also get rewarded for the good tip
made. Please inform as many as you can so that together we
can root out the evil among us. I need to reiterate that we are
"Not in the Reserve Bank of
serious as our motto states
Malawi".
With these few remarks, I now declare the RBM Tip-Offs
Let's Join Hands
Anonymous Programme officially launched.
in the fight against unethical behaviour.
I thank you all for your kind attention.
RESERVE BANK OF MALAWI
11 July 2017