| 55 |
In law, is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector? |
| |
| |
55:
In law, is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector?
|
| |
| Score: |
YES |
NO |
 |
|
| |
Comments:
References: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, Chapter XVIII Section 184
|
| 56 |
Is the supreme audit institution effective? |
| |
| |
56a:
In law, the supreme audit institution is protected from political interference.
|
| |
| Score: |
YES |
NO |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, Chapter XVIII Section 184 (7)
|
| |
56b:
In practice, the head of the audit agency is protected from removal without relevant justification.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi and Happy Kayuni "Decentralization Opening a New Window for Corruption" Journal of Asian and African Studies 42 (2), 2007
2) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and Head of Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
|
| |
56c:
In practice, the audit agency has a professional, full-time staff.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi and Happy Kayuni "Decentralization Opening a New Window for Corruption" Journal of Asian and African Studies 42 (2), 2007
2) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and Head of Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
|
| |
56d:
In practice, audit agency appointments support the independence of the agency.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi and Happy Kayuni "Decentralization Opening a New Window for Corruption" Journal of Asian and African Studies 42 (2), 2007
2) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and Head of Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
|
| |
56e:
In practice, the audit agency receives regular funding.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi and Happy Kayuni "Decentralization Opening a New Window for Corruption" Journal of Asian and African Studies 42 (2), 2007
2) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and Head of Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
|
| |
56f:
In practice, the audit agency makes regular public reports.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi and Happy Kayuni "Decentralization Opening a New Window for Corruption" Journal of Asian and African Studies 42 (2), 2007
2) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and Head of Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
|
| |
56g:
In practice, the government acts on the findings of the audit agency.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi and Happy Kayuni "Decentralization Opening a New Window for Corruption" Journal of Asian and African Studies 42 (2), 2007
2) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and Head of Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
|
| |
56h:
In practice, the audit agency is able to initiate its own investigations.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Interview with Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and head of Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
2) Interview with Jacob Jimu, reporter, Nation newspaper, Sept. 11, 2007, Blantyre
|
| 57 |
Can citizens access reports of the supreme audit institution? |
| |
| |
57a:
In law, citizens can access reports of the audit agency.
|
| |
| Score: |
YES |
NO |
|
|
| |
Comments: The report is Accessed through Parliament and the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.
Audit reports can also be bought from the Auditor General's Office. Previously, the reports were made available to the public for free. Due to the high photocopying costs, the Auditor General's office now sells the reports to those who need them. The Audit reports can also be accesses through the Auditor General's website: www.nao.mw. The problem is that most people are not aware that they can access these reports. They are also not aware of how they can access them
References: Public Audit Act, Section 15
Peer Review Comments: However, it is not accessible to the public through public media or mainstream media, in whole. Journalists who manage to access do write stories about the report, but very often we find that not all journalists in Malawi have the right expartees to competently read such reports and accurately transcribe or analyse the issues throgh reporting
|
| |
57b:
In practice, citizens can access audit reports within a reasonable time period.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments: Citizens can access audit reports either through the website or they can buy from the Auditor General's office. These reports can, however, only be accessed by the public after they have been presented to parliament through the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which conducts public hearing of the reports. Before that, any access to these reports is illegal as they are not officially released.
One of the major problems with the audit reports in Malawi is that they are produced and presented to parliament late. For example, the latest audit report that can be accessed by the public is that for the 2003/04 financial year. This is the report that has just been presented to parliament through the Public Accounts Committee. PAC is currently conducting a public hearing of this report .
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and head of Department Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
2) Bright Kumwenda, reporter, Nation newspaper, Sept. 11, 2007, Blantyre
Peer Review Comments: Channels for citizens to access such reports are not made public. Even journalists struggle to see or access such reports. Only when there are anomalies and some sources (Members of Parliament, government officials, politicians) would like to see these exposed, do those in custody of audit reports, leak them to the media. Citizens only see media reports on audits, and not the actual reports.
|
| |
57c:
In practice, citizens can access the audit reports at a reasonable cost.
|
| |
| Score: |
100 |
75 |
50 |
25 |
0 |
|
|
| |
Comments:
References: 1) Richard Tambulasi, lecturer and head of Department Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 11, 2007, Zomba
2) Bright Kumwenda, reporter, Nation newspaper, Sept. 11, 2007, Blantyre
Peer Review Comments: Only interest groups. If 'reasonable price' does not mean cover price, yes.
|
Global Integrity uses a