Collins Magalasi, Shonga Shonga’s corruption matter stalls a year after court found them a case to answer

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Dorothy in Yellow during previous court session on corruption charges

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-About eleven months have passed since High Court Judge Patrick Chirwa, sitting as Chief Resident Magistrate ruled that former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Chief Executive Officer Collins Magalasi, businesswoman Dorothy Shonga, and two other suspects have a case to answer in a high-profile corruption case.

The four were arrested in 2020 on allegations of abusing their positions to manipulate MERA’s Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee (IPDC) into awarding a lucrative MK186 million contract to Vink Enterprise, a company owned by Shonga. 

The deal, which sparked a major scandal, raised concerns about procurement irregularities within MERA.

Chase Referral

Delivering his ruling in March 2025, Judge Chirwa stated that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant the accused defending themselves in court. The ruling effectively dismisses any possibility of an immediate acquittal and sets the stage for the defence to present its arguments.

“This court has carefully examined the evidence submitted by the State, and it is clear that the accused have questions to answer regarding their involvement in the contract awarding process,” Chirwa said.

The case revolves around allegations that Magalasi, in collaboration with Shonga and the other accused, bypassed standard procurement procedures to unlawfully benefit Vink Enterprise.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which led the investigation, has argued that the deal was tailored to favour Shonga’s company at the expense of transparency and fairness.

Following the ruling, legal experts say the accused had the opportunity to challenge the evidence and present their defence.

If found guilty, they could face severe penalties, including imprisonment and financial restitution.

The case attracted significant public attention, as it underscores ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Malawi.

Civil society organizations and governance watchdogs welcomed the court’s decision, urging authorities to ensure that justice is served without bias.

But now with eleven months after the ruling was made in March 2025, the case has never seen a day in the court.

Both ACB and Judiciary public relations office are yet to give reasons why the case has stalled for a year.

Why could such a high profile case stall like that after the suspects were found a case to answer? Who is sitting on the case

Capital One

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Why AG Frank Mbeta allegedly approves to buy a sinking Amaryllis Hotel with public pension funds?

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By Falles Kamanga

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF), under the oversight of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, has acquired Amaryllis Hotel for a staggering K147 billion, nearly three times its original valuation of K47 billion, raising serious concerns about the prudence of the transaction with MK90 billion already paid towards the purchase.

The hotel, already struggling and failing to make profits, now sits at the center of controversy over the management of public servants’ retirement savings.

Chase Referral

The acquisition received legal approval from Attorney General Frank Farouk Mbeta, who also represents Amaryllis Hotel a glaring conflict of interest critics describe as part of his long history of controversial legal interventions.

In a letter dated 28 December 2025 to the Malawi Law Society, Mbeta presented the findings of investigations into allegations surrounding the sale, stating that independent due diligence by FDH Bank Plc, Continental Asset Management Limited, and EMJ Advisory Public Accountants confirmed the transaction was viable.

He concluded that there was no evidence of corruption, abuse of office, or undue pressure on the Board, though he advised careful risk management.

Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had issued a restriction notice in November 2025, temporarily halting the sale pending investigations.

By 18 December 2025, the ACB issued a letter clearing the transaction, stating that no fraudulent activities were found, effectively lifting the restriction quietly before the end of the year.

However, the Registrar of Financial Institutions at the Reserve Bank of Malawi sent a stern letter on 6 January 2026, warning that the transaction could expose pension fund members to undue financial risk.

The letter cautioned that the purchase could breach investment limits under the Financial Services Directive, cause liquidity mismatches, and increase concentration risk, putting systemically important pension assets in jeopardy.

The Registrar recommended that the Board reconsider the decision or provide clear safeguards for members’ funds.

Adding to the controversy is Frank Mbeta’s legal track record. While he has never been convicted, he has faced multiple allegations, arrests, and injunctions.

In 2015, the ACB sought to arrest him over bribery involving K2 million to an MRA employee, but a court injunction blocked the arrest.

He was also implicated in “judge-shopping” and judicial manipulation (2016–2017), and was mentioned in the Thomson Mpinganjira bribery trial (2019–2020), where testimony suggested he may have been involved in attempts to influence judges.

In February 2026, he further attracted criticism for approving a K51 million payout and a Toyota Fortuner to a politically aligned former Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) lawyer, fueling accusations of favoritism and misuse of public funds.

Civil society organizations, including the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), have called for Mbeta’s resignation, citing the long-standing “shadow of allegations” undermining public trust.

As the PSPTF moves forward with the hotel acquisition, the clash between Mbeta’s clearance, the ACB’s quiet approval, and the Reserve Bank’s caution leaves Malawians asking whether pension funds are being safeguarded or gambled away for political and personal interests.

Capital One

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NAP lauds strong anti-corruption drive in Mutharika’s 2026/27 SONA

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has hailed the latest State of the Nation Address (SONA) as a bold and reassuring declaration of intent on governance, particularly in the fight against corruption.

Speaking after the address, NAP Executive Director, Benedicto Kondowe, described the President’s message as a strong signal that government is ready to confront long standing governance challenges head on.

Kondowe said the President’s firm declaration that there will be no “sacred cows” in the fight against corruption demonstrates a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

He observed that corruption has for years eroded public trust in state institutions, weakened service delivery systems and slowed down Malawi’s national development agenda.

According to Kondowe, the President’s stance comes at a critical time when citizens are demanding decisive leadership and practical solutions to governance failures.

He further welcomed the President’s appeal to the three arms of government to act in the national interest, describing it as a reaffirmation of constitutional accountability and institutional responsibility.

Kondowe stressed that effective governance depends not only on powerful speeches but also on consistent, fair and impartial enforcement of the law, regardless of political affiliation or social standing.

He said if backed by genuine political will, the President’s approach could significantly rebuild public confidence and strengthen democratic institutions.

“Malawians want to see institutions empowered to act without fear or favour. That is the true test of commitment,” Kondowe emphasized.

He also underscored the importance of adequately resourcing and protecting anti corruption bodies from political interference to ensure their independence and effectiveness.

Kondowe noted that strong oversight institutions are essential for preventing abuse of power and ensuring public resources are used responsibly.

He added that improving governance systems will not only curb corruption but also create a stable environment for economic growth, investment and improved public service delivery.

NAP urged the government to translate its promises into measurable action, saying citizens are eager to witness tangible results in the ongoing fight against corruption.

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Malawi passport crisis: Immigration officer Rowland Brown nailed for MK300,000 bribe

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Immigration Department in Lilongwe, as Rowland Brown, an immigration officer, was arrested for allegedly scamming a client MK300, 000.

The arrest was made possible by a surprise visit from Deputy Minister of Homeland Security, Norman Chisale, who had received a tip about corrupt practices within the department.

Chisale’s visit was a bolt out of the blue, aimed at catching officers off guard and rooting out corruption.

And it seems his efforts paid off, as Brown was caught red-handed, leading to his immediate arrest.

This bold move by the Deputy Minister sends a strong message that corruption will no longer be tolerated in the Immigration Department.

The arrest has been met with jubilation, with many seeing it as a step in the right direction towards eradicating corruption in public institutions.

The public is eager to see more of such actions, and for those involved in corrupt practices to face the music.

The Immigration Department has been plagued by allegations of corruption, with many claiming that officers are more interested in lining their pockets than serving the people.

Brown’s arrest is a clear indication that the authorities are serious about stamping out this menace.

The Deputy Minister’s actions are a testament to his commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency.

His bravery in taking on corrupt officials is commendable, and we hope that this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful war against corruption.

The case has sparked widespread interest, with many calling for more stringent measures to tackle corruption.

The public is watching, and it’s time for institutions to take concrete actions to restore trust and faith in the system.

As the case unfolds, one thing is clear: corruption will no longer be tolerated, and those involved will face the full force of the law.

The people of Malawi demand accountability, and it’s time institutions delivered.

Way forward

The arrest of Rowland Brown is a victory for the people, and a reminder that together, we can create a corruption-free Malawi.

Let’s keep the momentum going and ensure that those who abuse their power are brought to book.

This is just the beginning of a new chapter in Malawi’s fight against corruption.

Let’s make sure it’s a chapter that ends with a corruption-free nation, where institutions serve the people, not their own interests.

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Chinese wildlife convict Yunhua Lin’s corruption case full trial March 10, Remains on remand

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The High Court seating in Lilongwe on Tuesday adjourned to March 10 2026 a case in which wildlife crimes and money laundering convict Lin Yinhua is answering seven charges of corrupt practices with public officers and abuse of public offices.

High court judge Redson Kapindu made the adjournment when he was making directions in the case, indicating that the case would run for three days from March 10 to 13, 2026.

Judge Kapindu ruled that within 14 days the defence should identify a competent interpreter for client and counsel engagement.

“Make sure that within seven days assistant registrar of the court should engage Messrs Maele Law Practice to file a written notice that it no longer represents the accused”, Kapindu orders.

The judge also rules further, “Make sure that within 14 days the prosecution should ensure that the high court file contains all disclosures which shall be served to the defence with the materials”.

Anti-Corruption Bureau principal legal and prosecution officer Peter Sambani therefore told the court that the state is ready for the full trial.

Sambani hinted that the state will parade its 16 witnesses against the suspect on corruption and public officers abuses’ charges.

Among others, Lin is accused of offering K30 million to Aaron Ganyavu Kaunda who was the officer In charge of Maula Prison to engage then chief resident Magistrate Violet Chipao who was presiding over his wildlife and money laundering case, to give him a lesser sentence while he was on remand at Maula Prison in 2019.

This means Lin will remain on remand at Dedza Prison until full trial.

On November 7, 2025 High Court Judge Redson Kapindu rejected Lin’s applications discharge on unlawful detention and bail application.

Buy Book 365 days

Kapindu cited the suspect being flight risk and the serious offences he committed might compromise the court proceedings.

The case arose shortly after Lin’s controversial presidential pardon in July, this year which was followed by his re-arrest by ACB

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Malawi COs calls for renewed accountability on corruption drive fight: International Anti-Corruption Day

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Benedicto Kondowe from left

Airtel Malawi

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)— As the world marked International Anti-Corruption Day, two of Malawi’s leading governance watchdogs urged national leaders to treat corruption not as a routine governance challenge but as a national emergency requiring urgent, decisive action.

In a joint statement, National Advocacy Platform (NAP) Executive Director Benedicto Kondowe and Civil Society Accountability Taskforce (CSAT) Executive Director Willy Kambwandira stressed that Malawi’s political leadership must convert anti-corruption commitments into tangible reforms that strengthen accountability across all sectors.

Capital One

“Corruption must be confronted, not accommodated. Accountability must be enforced, not negotiated,” the statement reads, underscoring the urgency with which the two organizations believe Malawi must respond.

NAP and CSAT emphasized that a renewed culture of integrity is possible one anchored in institutions that operate independently and free from fear, political interference, or personal interests.

They also highlighted the critical role of young people, describing them as the “forefront generation capable of demanding and defending transparency,” and essential contributors to building a more accountable Malawi.

The two organizations reaffirmed their commitment to work collaboratively with government bodies, communities, and stakeholders to ensure that Malawi’s anti-corruption pledges become actionable realities.

“Only when commitments become lived realities will Malawi deliver a future where integrity is not aspirational but expected,” the statement adds.

This year’s commemoration is themed at “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s
Integrity”.

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