Malawi Freedom Network 
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.
- NOCMA K700 Million Fuel Payment Dispute Raises Questions as NAPP Demands Answers
Share Listen to this article By Our Reporter The National Advocacy Platform (NAPP) has called on President Professor Peter Mutharika to demonstrate leadership over a disputed K700 million payment reportedly linked to fuel operations involving Mozambique. Read moreCorrupt Mafia Batatawala Case Commence On 25 April 2022NAPP executive director Benedicto Kondowe has urged the President to… - NOCMA Deputy CEO Micklas Reuben Arrested Over Alleged $403,615 Fuel TransactionShare Listen to this article By Our Reporter Police have arrested National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Micklas Reuben and Senior Operations Manager Thokozani Sesani over an alleged fraudulent transfer of US$403,615 (about K700 million) linked to fuel operations in Mozambique. Read moreCorrupt Mafia Batatawala Case Commence On 25 April 2022Deputy…
- Zambian Law Association condemns courts shutdown
Share Listen to this article By Vincent Gunde The Law Association of Zambia has condemned the shutting down of the courts by President Hakainde Hichilema who instructed judges and court staff not to report for work in order to block the opposition from filing petitions over irregularities of the Zambian elections. Read moream not corrupt… - Lilongwe to Launch First City-Wide Electric Public Bus System
Share Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera Lilongwe is set to introduce its first formal, city-wide public bus system, with the Lilongwe City Council announcing plans to establish Lilongwe Electric Transit Ltd (LETL), a company that will operate electric buses across the capital. Read moreNEEF Customers Demands Their Deposit BackThe planned public transport system… - Mozambique Police Stations Turned Into Scrapyards as Impounded Vehicles Rot for Decades
Share Listen to this article By Our Reporter Police stations and criminal investigation facilities in Mozambique are increasingly resembling scrapyards, with hundreds of impounded and accident-damaged vehicles occupying valuable space for years—even decades. Read moream not corrupt – Zuneth SattarThe vehicles are parked at compounds belonging to the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM)… - UNIMA Students Left in Loan Limbo as August 29 Appeals Deadline Nears
Share Listen to this article Reported by Raymond Edward Daud and Naomi Salimu University of Malawi (UNIMA) students are facing growing uncertainty over their education loans as the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) is yet to release the university’s provisional loan list. Read moreChakwera engages Lubeck University on fight against non NCDsThe… - Football Legends Association Raises K192 Million as Simama Hotels, Austo Add K8 Million
Share Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera | August 25, 2026 The Football Legends Association (FLA) has raised K192 million towards its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and fundraising dinner and dance gala scheduled for August 29 in Lilongwe. Read moreSulom unpacks revised prizesThe latest boost comes from Simama Hotels and Austo Brake and Clutch,… - US Eyes Greater Investment in Malawi as American Chamber of Commerce Launches
Share Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera | August 25, 2026 The United States has welcomed the establishment of the American Chamber of Commerce in Malawi, describing it as a significant new chapter in strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between Malawi and the United States. Read moreNEEF Customers Demands Their Deposit BackSpeaking during… - BREAKING: Former Electoral Body Chief Andrew Mpesi ArrestedShare Listen to this article By Our Reporter Former electoral body chief Andrew Mpesi has reportedly been arrested after appearing before the police’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit in Lilongwe. Read moreBiography Of Dr Thomson MpinganjiraMpesi was summoned to the unit as part of an investigation into suspected financial crimes. His lawyer, Chrispine Ndalama, says the…
- DNA Results in Malawi: 80% Non-Paternity Rate Reported Among Men Testing After Suspecting InfidelityShare Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera25 August 2026 Recent DNA paternity testing figures reported in Malawi have sparked a national conversation about fatherhood, trust, relationships and the growing demand for scientific evidence in family disputes. Read moreCorrupt Mafia Batatawala Case Commence On 25 April 2022According to reports published by The Nation, genetics scientist…
- MEC Dismisses Reports That Chairperson Was Stopped From Leaving MalawiShare Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that its Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, and other senior officials were stopped by police from leaving the country at Kamuzu International Airport. Read moreAhmed Dassu Ask ACB To Investigate President Chakwera On NOCMA ContractIn…
- Muluzi Demands Evidence Over K1 Million ESCOM Guards AllegationsShare Listen to this article By Suleman Chitera | August 25, 2026 United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has challenged Situation Malawi to provide evidence for allegations linking him to a purported promise to pay former ESCOM security guards K1 million each. Read moreIsraeli-Born Malawi Parliament Member: Actions, Not Words, Will Change Africa for…
Read also: Court To Rule On Two Gam Fuels Applications On Oct 3
Read also: Two In Cooler For Stealing Railway Materials
Read also: Peter Mutharika: The Patriot President Malawi Still Misses
