By Suleman Chitera
A local activists’ grouping has announced plans to stage vigils and demonstrations at Amaryllis Hotel in a bid to force the closure of the luxury facility and demand accountability over its controversial purchase using public pension funds.
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The Malawi-Led Black Economic and Empowerment Movement (Mablem) says it will lead nationwide protests on May 18, 2026 under the theme: “Occupy Amaryllis, payback the money or handover the hotel to Government.”
Mablem national coordinator Fryson Chodzi confirmed the planned demonstrations, questioning why Yusuf Investments Limited is still operating the hotel despite reports that a significant portion of the controversial K128 billion transaction has been frozen by authorities.
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“In all fairness, there is no justifiable reason for Yusuf Investments to continue running the hotel. As a matter of fact, they don’t hold any reasonable shares in the facility considering that K90 billion of the K128 billion was paid,” said Chodzi.
The activist further argued that allowing the hotel to continue operating while investigations remain unresolved risks undermining public trust and exposing civil servants’ pension contributions to further uncertainty.
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According to Chodzi, the grouping wants government authorities and investigative institutions to immediately suspend operations at the hotel until all investigations are completed and the ownership structure is clarified.
“Together with civil servants we are ready to hold vigils at Amaryllis Hotel under the theme: Occupy Amaryllis, payback the money or handover the hotel to Government,” warned Chodzi.
The controversial hotel acquisition has become one of Malawi’s most politically sensitive financial scandals, attracting scrutiny from lawmakers, anti-corruption institutions, civil society groups and the general public over allegations surrounding the use of pension funds in the transaction.
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Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament is yet to conclude its inquiry into the deal. Some key figures connected to the transaction, including former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, are still reportedly unavailable for questioning.
Authorities have already frozen part of the funds linked to the transaction as investigations continue into possible financial irregularities and accountability concerns surrounding the deal.
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The planned demonstrations are expected to increase pressure on both Parliament and investigative agencies to deliver answers on how billions of kwacha belonging to civil servants’ pension schemes were used in the acquisition of one of Malawi’s most prestigious hotels.
