By Suleman Chitera
The Civil Society-led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM) has dismissed allegations blaming Pacific Limited for the electricity blackout that affected large parts of Limbe during the recently concluded rainy season, describing the claims as “misleading and incomplete” following an independent investigation.
Read this Malawians Hail Pacific Limited Borehole rehabilitation Project
The controversy had previously sparked public debate after reports suggested that construction activities by Pacific Limited—whose development project borders an ESCOM installation in Limbe—damaged electricity infrastructure, leading to a 24-hour power outage that disrupted commercial activity in the city.
However, MaBLEM says its fact-finding mission found no direct wrongdoing by the company.
Independent Investigation Points to Heavy Rains and Infrastructure Placement
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Monday, 11 May 2026, MaBLEM Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said the movement carried out physical inspections in Blantyre, including the affected site in Limbe.
Related stories Malawians Happy With Pacific Limited Boreholes Rehabilitation Program
According to Mkwezalamba, the evidence indicates that the blackout was largely triggered by extreme weather conditions during the peak of the rainy season, rather than negligence by Pacific Limited.
“The company’s development of an upscale shopping and market complex is being undertaken within approved plans and within the legal boundaries of its property,” Mkwezalamba said. “The challenge arose because ESCOM infrastructure is situated on elevated ground and, due to gravity and the intensity of the rains, the retaining wall collapsed, causing electricity poles to fall and eventually leading to the blackout.”
He further noted that similar weather-related disruptions had affected multiple ESCOM installations across Malawi during the same period, suggesting the Limbe incident was part of a broader infrastructure vulnerability rather than an isolated construction-related failure.
Questions Raised Over Timing of Allegations
MaBLEM also questioned why the issue had resurfaced months after the incident, despite widespread infrastructure damage caused by heavy rains nationwide.
Trending stories Pacific Limited Rehabilitates Over Eight Thousands Non Functional Boreholes
Pacific Borehole Initiative Transforms Rural Malawi’s Access to Clean Water
Water Relief for Chiradzulu: Pacific Limited Steps In to Restore Over 100 Boreholes
Pacific Limited Transforms Lives in Chitipa with Multi-Million Kwacha Borehole Rehabilitation Drive
Pacific Limited Honoured for Leading Role in Cholera Fight Through Free Borehole Rehabilitation
Central Poultry Pledges K400 Million Towards Borehole Rehabilitation Initiative
“It is surprising that this issue is only now attracting heightened attention when the incident occurred during a period in which heavy rains affected several ESCOM installations nationwide,” Mkwezalamba said. “Reports at the time indicated that more than 28 ESCOM sites across Malawi were impacted by severe weather conditions.”
Concerns Over Treatment of Indigenous Businesses
Beyond the technical findings, MaBLEM expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of unfair criticism directed at indigenous-owned businesses.
The movement argued that local investors are increasingly subjected to negative publicity that undermines their contributions to national development.
“Pacific Limited has frequently come under criticism, particularly directed at its owner, Mr. Faizal Aboo,” Mkwezalamba said. “Unfortunately, some individuals deliberately fail to distinguish between a private individual and a legally registered corporate entity.”
He added that such perceptions risk discouraging domestic investment at a time when local businesses are expected to play a central role in economic growth and job creation.
Pacific Towers Cited as Key Economic Hub
MaBLEM also defended Pacific Limited’s broader commercial impact, pointing to the development of Pacific Towers in Limbe as a major contributor to local enterprise growth.
“Today, more than 200 black-owned businesses operate from Pacific Towers, which remains one of the few commercial facilities in Limbe offering relatively affordable rental space for indigenous entrepreneurs,” Mkwezalamba said.Asian Muslim Relief Appeals To Asians To Release K50,000 To Domestic Employees
The company, which operates in real estate and commercial development, has attracted both praise and criticism over the years due to the scale and visibility of its investments in urban infrastructure.
CSR Efforts Highlighted, Including Borehole Rehabilitation
On corporate social responsibility, MaBLEM commended Pacific Limited for its nationwide borehole rehabilitation programme, which the movement described as one of the largest privately funded water access initiatives in the country.
According to the organisation, the company has rehabilitated more than 10,000 boreholes across Malawi, significantly improving access to clean and safe water in underserved communities.
Call for Balanced Reporting and Fair Assessment
MaBLEM concluded by calling for more balanced reporting and responsible public discourse when addressing issues involving local investors.
The movement emphasized that while accountability remains important, scrutiny should be fair and evidence-based to avoid damaging legitimate businesses contributing to national development.
ESCOM Collaboration and Infrastructure Design Praised
Supporting MaBLEM’s findings, Baxton Nkhoma, Executive Director for Citizen Alliance and a member of the investigation team, praised Pacific Limited for cooperating with ESCOM by constructing an underground passage for electricity cables servicing Limbe.
“This demonstrates responsible corporate citizenship by Pacific Limited,” Nkhoma said. “In all fairness, the company could have proceeded with its project and left ESCOM to independently relocate the cables at a later stage.”
He added that both ESCOM and private developers must adopt collaborative approaches in infrastructure planning to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion
While the Limbe blackout initially sparked public concern and allegations against Pacific Limited, MaBLEM’s investigation presents a different narrative—one that attributes the disruption primarily to severe weather conditions and infrastructure vulnerability rather than corporate negligence.
The movement’s findings are likely to reignite debate on how Malawi balances infrastructure development, urban expansion, and the protection of indigenous-owned enterprises in a rapidly growing economy.