By Staff Reporter | Investigative Desk
BLANTYRE, Malawi — Allegations of financial irregularities and questionable procurement decisions have placed former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Pempho Zamba at the centre of a growing storm, with calls mounting for full investigations into how billions of kwacha may have been lost during her time in office.
Reports emerging from multiple local media outlets and watchdog organizations suggest that Zamba may have wielded influence over state procurement processes — particularly in the country’s troubled fuel import program — with some transactions allegedly conducted outside the formal oversight of key agencies such as the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) and the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).
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Fuel Procurement Controversy
The most serious allegations involve Malawi’s fuel import deals between 2022 and 2024, when the country experienced widespread shortages.
Sources within NOCMA and the Ministry of Energy claim that tens of billions of kwacha were paid for fuel consignments that never arrived in the country.
Media reports have pointed to high-level interference from senior government officials — among them Zamba — in awarding and managing contracts, bypassing established tender procedures.
In one detailed report by The Times and other Malawian outlets, Zamba was accused of “hijacking” procurement processes by directing or approving transactions without clearance from mandated bodies.
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While these claims have not been tested in court, they have intensified public scrutiny of her tenure and the broader accountability of Malawi’s top civil service.
Ombudsman’s Findings and Oversight Gaps
The Office of the Ombudsman has also referenced Zamba’s name in an official determination related to irregular administrative decisions within the public service.
Although the document stops short of proving criminal wrongdoing, it confirms that her office was part of inquiries into disputed appointments and procurement management — reinforcing public concern about weak internal checks during her leadership.
Governance analysts say the Ombudsman’s findings highlight how central control over civil service operations can blur accountability lines when oversight bodies are ignored.
Public Reaction and Calls for Investigation
Civil society groups, opposition leaders, and anti-corruption campaigners have demanded that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the National Audit Office open a formal investigation into Zamba’s finances and government dealings.
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The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and other watchdogs have questioned the absence of transparency over fuel procurement, arguing that billions may have been misused without proper parliamentary oversight.
Editorials in Nyasa Times and AllAfrica have also urged President Lazarus Chakwera to ensure that any implicated officials — regardless of political ties — face accountability.
Zamba Yet to Respond
Efforts to obtain a direct comment from Colleen Zamba or her representatives have so far been unsuccessful.
No public statement has been issued addressing the specific allegations or clarifying her personal financial status following her exit from office earlier this year.
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Meanwhile, the State House and the Office of the President and Cabinet have remained silent on whether internal audits were conducted into her administration’s handling of procurement matters.
Experts Demand Transparency
Governance expert Dr. Henry Kachaje told this publication that Malawi’s credibility in fighting corruption depends on its willingness to probe even the highest-ranking officials.
“The perception that powerful civil servants can act with impunity is dangerous,” Kachaje said.
“Whether Ms. Zamba is guilty or not, the only way to restore public trust is through a transparent and professional audit.”
What Happens Next
As public pressure mounts, attention now turns to whether the ACB, the Auditor General, or Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee will act on the matter.
Without formal investigations, Malawians may never know whether the alleged missing billions in fuel procurement were lost through corruption, mismanagement, or bureaucratic chaos.
For now, the former SPC’s office remains silent — but the questions surrounding her wealth and decision-making power continue to echo across the corridors of Capital Hill.
