By Burnett Munthali
The Malawi Government has moved to forfeit assets belonging to Norman Chisale, the Director of Youth for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Chisale, whose assets were preserved by the state in 2021, has been served with a notice to have them permanently forfeited. The hearing is scheduled to take place on November 5, 2024, following an application submitted by Chief State Advocate Pilirani Masanjala.
Chisale’s assets, which include properties and other holdings, were initially seized as part of a broader investigation into alleged financial misconduct. Despite the preservation order being in place for several years, no trial has taken place thus far. The government is now pushing for the assets to be handed over to the state.
Chief State Advocate Masanjala has also been at the forefront of other legal battles involving Chisale. Notably, he is said to have appealed a magistrate’s ruling that found Chisale with no case to answer over charges of intimidating Justice Minister Titus Mvalo. The appeal signals the government’s determination to pursue multiple legal avenues against Chisale.
Chisale has been a key figure within the DPP and was formerly a close aide to ex-President Peter Mutharika. His legal troubles have long been seen as politically motivated by some within the DPP, particularly given the increasing tension between the opposition and the ruling administration.
There are growing concerns that the ongoing legal operations targeting opposition officials, including Chisale, may be part of a broader political agenda. Sources within the opposition claim that these legal actions are designed to divert attention away from K1.5 trillion corruption allegations involving Colleen Zamba, the Secretary to the President and Cabinet.
Zamba has been linked to serious financial mismanagement claims, and opposition figures argue that the government is using high-profile cases like Chisale’s to shift public focus away from these scandals. The opposition is pointing to the fact that several DPP officials have recently been targeted by law enforcement, with the Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) actively pursuing cases against them.
As the hearing date for Chisale’s asset forfeiture approaches, there is anticipation of further developments within Malawi’s political and legal landscape. The opposition DPP has accused the government of using state institutions to suppress political opponents, a claim that the ruling administration has repeatedly denied.
The spotlight is now firmly on the judiciary, the police, and the government’s handling of these high-stakes cases. As more opposition figures come under scrutiny, the political climate in Malawi is likely to heat up in the coming weeks.
We will continue to provide live updates as this story unfolds and more information becomes available.
