By Suleman Chitera
The Malawi Law Society (MLS) has launched a scathing attack on the Acting Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), accusing him of prematurely and questionably clearing officers implicated in the controversial planned purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF).
In a strongly worded statement, MLS says the move by Acting ACB Director General Gabriel Chembezi casts “serious doubt” on the credibility, independence, and thoroughness of the Bureau’s purported investigation into the K128.75 billion transaction.
The Society has aligned itself with the position taken by the Reserve Bank of Malawi through the Registrar of Financial Institutions, who ordered a reversal of the transaction — a rare and dramatic regulatory intervention that underscores the gravity of the matter.
‘Public Must Be Told the Truth’
MLS is demanding full disclosure from the PSPTF trustees, Fund officers, and the Attorney General, insisting that Malawians deserve complete transparency on a deal involving billions in pension funds.
“In the spirit of accountability and transparency, we demand that the trustees and officers of the Fund and the Attorney General provide information to the public regarding the exact status of the transaction,” reads part of the statement.
The Society wants the following details made public without delay:
- The final agreed purchase price
- Any money already paid out
- Full due diligence reports
- The identity of any strategic partner or hotel operator
- Specific advice, if any, obtained from the Reserve Bank
The demands come amid growing public outrage that the hotel was allegedly being acquired at K128.75 billion — a figure critics argue is grossly inflated and far above market value.
Conflict of Interest Questioned
In an unprecedented escalation, MLS has further called on Chembezi to declare his interest in the matter and recuse himself from handling the case, raising concerns about potential conflict of interest.
The call signals deep institutional mistrust and intensifies pressure on the ACB leadership at a time when the Bureau’s credibility is already under scrutiny.
Pensioners’ Money at Stake
The controversy erupted after revelations that PSPTF intended to purchase the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre using pension funds — money contributed by civil servants across the country.
Critics argue that if mismanaged or overvalued, the deal could expose pensioners to massive financial risk while benefitting a few well-connected players.
With the Registrar of Financial Institutions ordering a reversal and MLS openly challenging the ACB’s handling of the matter, the deal has now escalated into a full-blown governance crisis.
The spotlight now shifts to the trustees, the Attorney General, and the ACB — and whether they will comply with mounting demands for transparency or dig in deeper as public pressure intensifies.
- NBM plc supports ‘Onesimus vs Armstrong’ concert with K5 million
By Suleman Chitera National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has given K5 million towards the ‘Armstrong vs Onesimus’ concert scheduled… - MLS blasts ACB boss over ‘white wash’ in K128.75Bn Amaryllis Hotel deal
By Suleman Chitera The Malawi Law Society (MLS) has launched a scathing attack on the Acting Director General of the… - Mumba Blasts Political Elites Over NEEF Loan Scandal
By Suleman Chitera Senior Malawi Congress Party (MCP) figure Vitumbiko Mumba has launched a scathing attack on political elites accused… - FDH Bank plc boosts access to civil servant’s loan
By Suleman Chitera FDH Bank plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting civil servants through Civil Servant’s Loan facility, designed… - Kamphangala calls for politicians out of Chilima’s inquiry
By Vincent Gunde A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) diehard of Mvera in Dowa district Mr. Rodgers Kamphangala, has called for… - Kenani thanks three MPs for Amaryllis Hotel debate
By Vincent Gunde Social commentator Onjezani Kenani, has thanked three Members of Parliament ( MPs) for a passionate debate in… - PIL donates K150 million ICT lab and library to Katole CDSS
By Suleman Chitera Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL), a consortium of four oil marketing companies namely Puma, Total, Petroda, and Vivo… - Nurse Jailed Three Years for Assaulting Patient at Zomba Mental Hospital
By Staff Reporter The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Zomba has sentenced a nurse to three years’ imprisonment for assaulting… - Judiciary Under Siege: CDEDI Demands Immediate Resignation of Chief Justice and Attorney General Over Corruption Claims
By Suleman Chitera The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI) has issued a stern seven-day ultimatum demanding the… - MCP member welcomes wholeheartedly Chilima’s new investigation
By Vincent Gunde Social influencer who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) member Gerald Chavez Kampanikiza of Dedza, says Malawians… - Parliamentary Absenteeism Reaches Crisis Point: 159 MPs Skip Sitting
By Burnett Munthali A staggering 159 members of parliament were absent from the latest parliamentary sitting, sparking widespread concerns about… - Senior Citizen Urges Malawian Parliament to Strengthen Oversight After Supreme Court Finance Bank Ruling
By Suleman Chitera In a thoughtful and patriotic open letter addressed to the Parliament of Malawi, senior citizen Willard Mhone…
