By Suleman Chitera, Investigative Desk
Pressure is mounting on authorities to summon and question former Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe over his alleged role in the multi-billion-kwacha fertilizer butchery scandal that rocked the outgoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government led by President Lazarus Chakwera.
Civil society organizations, anti-corruption campaigners, and concerned citizens are calling for transparency and accountability, accusing government institutions of shielding influential figures behind the scandal.
According to sources within the Ministry of Agriculture, the controversial deal involved the procurement of thousands of metric tons of fertilizer under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) through questionable contracts—many awarded to briefcase companies with no known experience in the fertilizer trade.
Documents obtained by The Nation Investigative Desk reveal that inflated prices, falsified invoices, and irregular advance payments led to the loss of billions in taxpayers’ money. Some contractors reportedly received substantial payments without delivering the fertilizer, leaving thousands of smallholder farmers stranded.
Agriculture Minister Lobin Lowe Fired For Stealing K30 Billion AIP Funds
An insider within the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that some officials tried to raise alarms but were quickly “transferred or silenced” before internal investigations were completed.
“The rot was deep. Orders came from the top, and anyone who questioned them was labeled as insubordinate,” said the source.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is reportedly reviewing fresh evidence linking former Minister Lobin Lowe and other senior MCP government officials to authorizing questionable payments without following proper procurement procedures.
Despite repeated calls from the public, neither the ACB nor the Office of the President has clearly stated whether Lowe will be interrogated. Critics say the silence from authorities is fueling perceptions of political protection and selective justice.
Civil rights activist Martha Banda of the Accountability Network Malawi said failure to question the former minister would be a “betrayal of public trust.”
“Malawians deserve answers. Billions were lost, farmers suffered, and yet those responsible continue to walk free. This scandal cannot be buried under political convenience,” Banda warned.
As the nation gears up for another farming season, farmers remain anxious over whether the AIP will recover from the massive corruption blow—or collapse again under mismanagement and greed.
The call for justice is clear: Who will take responsibility for the fertilizer butchery scandal that crippled Malawi’s agriculture sector?
