By Kumaliopa Mawa

A storm is brewing over the much-anticipated inquiry report into the controversial Amaryllis Hotel transaction, with critics dismissing the document as incomplete and lacking credibility after it failed to address the roles of key figures and entities central to the deal.

The report, which was expected to provide clarity and accountability, has come under sharp scrutiny for omitting any substantive mention of President Lazarus Chakwera, State House Chief Secretary Colleen Zamba, and the controversial Yusuf Investments—all of whom have been widely linked to the transaction in public discourse and prior investigations.

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Analysts argue that leaving out these critical names raises serious questions about the integrity and independence of the inquiry process. “You cannot claim to investigate a high-profile public transaction and deliberately avoid the most talked-about actors. That’s not just an oversight—it’s a systemic failure,” said one governance expert familiar with public sector audits.

The Amaryllis Hotel deal, reportedly involving billions of kwacha, has been the subject of intense public interest, with concerns ranging from procurement irregularities to potential abuse of public resources. The omission of Yusuf Investments—previously flagged in financial investigations—has particularly fueled suspicions of a cover-up or selective reporting.

Civil society organizations have also weighed in, warning that such gaps risk eroding public trust in government accountability mechanisms. “This report reads like a sanitized version of events. Malawians deserve the full truth, not a filtered narrative that shields powerful individuals,” said a Lilongwe-based transparency advocate.

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The government has yet to issue a detailed response to the criticism, but pressure is mounting for a fresh, independent probe that will comprehensively examine all parties connected to the transaction—without fear or favor.

As it stands, the current report risks being remembered not as a tool for accountability, but as a missed opportunity—one that deepens suspicion rather than resolving it.