AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SANCTIONING FUNCTION OF THE INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY COMMITTEE: THE CASE OF NORTHERN REGION WATER BOARD, MALAWI

Abstract

This study assesses the sanctioning function of an institutional integrity committee (IIC) as one of the tools for deterring unethical conduct, in particular corruption in Malawi. The study focuses on Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) as a study area. The study employs qualitative and quantitative approaches, and analyses data using thematic and statistical analysis. The findings of the study show that while the NRWB’s IIC ensures that its sanctioning function is operational, its functionality is ineffective because it is marred with a number of challenges which include lack of awareness of the IIC’s sanctioning function among employees and clients, weakness in the recruitment process of employees, delays or failure by police or courts in execution of corruption cases referred by NRWB, among others. For this reason, it is argued that the sanctioning function of the NRWB’s IIC, though functional, is to a larger extent not effective in deterring corruption as a form of unethical behaviour. It is further argued that NRWB’s IIC can scale-up the effectiveness of its sanctioning function by eradicating and/or minimizing the aforementioned challenges.