By Suleman Chitera
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has called on President Peter Mutharika to introduce a 30-day amnesty period for individuals who looted government resources to voluntarily return the funds and property.
Malawi Freedom Network Urges President-Elect Mutharika to Pardon Petty Offenders and Investigate MCP Corruption
CDEDI Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa, said this initiative should apply to all public funds and assets stolen within Malawi as well as those hidden abroad.
“We implore government to consider forgiving those that will comply and take appropriate action against those that play difficult but end up being convicts,” said Namiwa.
Cash and Property Hidden Locally and Abroad
According to CDEDI, the amnesty should cover cash, property, and other assets acquired through corruption and stashed either within Malawi or in foreign countries. Namiwa argued that this approach would help the government recover significant amounts of wealth that were lost through fraud and abuse of office.
How President Chakwera, Cabinet Ministers and MCP Loyalists Became Billionaires in Just 5 Years
Forgiveness for Compliance, Action for Defiance
CDEDI further appealed for a fair balance between clemency and accountability. Those who voluntarily surrender the looted resources within the given 30 days should be pardoned, while those who refuse and are later convicted should face the full arm of the law.
Why This Matters for Malawi
Calls for asset recovery have been mounting as Malawi continues to grapple with corruption scandals and missing public funds. By allowing a voluntary return window, CDEDI believes the government can recover resources more efficiently while sending a strong warning to potential offenders
Investigating the Wealth of President Chakwera’s Son.
If implemented, this initiative could mark a turning point in Malawi’s anti-corruption fight, boosting confidence among citizens and international partners about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
