By Investigative Desk
Lilongwe, Malawi — Former Director General of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Brigadier Charles Kalumo, has been stripped of three government vehicles that were allegedly gifted to him by former President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera in violation of public asset management laws.
The seizure of the vehicles marks part of an ongoing asset recovery drive by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration under President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, as the government intensifies efforts to restore accountability in the use of state resources.
Government Seizes Vehicles in Asset Recovery Operation
According to reliable government sources, the vehicles—believed to include a Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Prado—were recovered this week by officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).
The vehicles had reportedly remained in Kalumo’s possession despite his dismissal by the court in 2024, following a ruling that nullified his appointment. Sources say he continued using the cars illegally, prompting the new administration to take action.
“The vehicles in question are government property. No public official has the right to retain state assets after leaving office,”
said a senior government official involved in the recovery process.
Chakwera’s Administration Accused of Breaching Asset Laws
The vehicles were originally handed to Kalumo by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, a move that governance experts say violated Malawi’s Public Finance Management and Asset Disposal Regulations.
Analysts argue that the incident reflects a broader pattern of mismanagement and misuse of state resources under the previous administration.
Governance commentator Martha Kamanga praised the asset recovery move, calling it “a crucial step toward rebuilding trust in public institutions.”
“This sends a clear message that government property is not personal property,” she said. “Public officers must be held accountable for how they handle state assets.”
Kalumo Yet to Comment
Efforts to reach Brigadier Kalumo for comment were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone went unanswered. However, sources close to him claim he was unaware of any illegality regarding the vehicle allocations.
DPP Government Pledges Accountability
The DPP-led government has vowed to continue retrieving all public assets unlawfully held by former officials. According to the Office of the President, all recovered vehicles will be reassigned to critical departments, including security and border management operations.
“We are committed to ensuring that every government asset serves the Malawian people—not individuals,”
said a statement from the OPC.
