Integrity Committees as Anti-Corruption Strategies in Malawi’s Public Service: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

This article examines the challenges and opportunities associated with anti-corruption strategies, particularly the Integrity Committees (ICs), adopted by Malawi to combat unethical behaviour in the Public Service. Political transitions from undemocratic regimes to democratic governance in Malawi raised hopes for a corrupt-free Public Service. However, corruption has emerged as a major impediment over ten years after the institutionalisation of anti-corruption strategies. The argument of this article is that much as the attainment of efficiency and effectiveness in the Public Service is a function of many factors, the promotion of ethical behaviour by integrity committees is critical. Based on documentary research and key informant interviews, the article finds that the role of integrity institutions in the fight against corruption is increasingly recognised by both public officials and political office bearers. However, the institutionalisation of integrity committees and fight against unethical behaviour, particularly corruption, is complicated by political interference, ineffective leadership, legal constraints, inadequate capacity, and ineffective coordination and citizen engagement. The article concludes that comprehensive policy and legal framework, effective leadership as well as strategies which improve capacity, employee motivation and citizen participation are necessary to strengthen the anti-corruption mechanisms for effective fight against unethical behaviour, particularly corruption, in the Public Service. Keywords: Anti-corruption, Ethics, Institutional Integrity Committees, Public Service and Malawi