Opposition boycotts committees after arrests over fertilizer deal

By The Forum

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has confirmed that the arrests of two former cabinet ministers — Sosten Gwengwe and Samuel Kawale — and former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba are linked to contracts awarded to East Bridge for the supply of fertiliser, soya beans and tobacco.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, MPS Public Relations Officer Senior Superintendent Lael Chimtembo said police investigations, conducted jointly with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), focused on procurement contracts involving several government institutions.

“The contracts between East Bridge and the Government of Malawi, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) exceeded an estimated total value of MK200 billion,” said Chimtembo.

He said the suspects will soon appear in court to answer charges including abuse of office, fraud other than false pretences, and money laundering. Chimtembo added that investigations are ongoing and further details will be communicated in due course.

Gwengwe, the former Minister of Finance, was arrested on Sunday, while former Minister of Agriculture Kawale and former SPC Zamba were arrested on Monday. Police said all three suspects handed themselves in after learning that they were persons of interest in the investigation.

Meanwhile, legislators from the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) boycotted parliamentary committee meetings in protest against the arrests of their fellow party members.

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Simplex Chithyola Banda, said MCP legislators raised concerns with Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman over the timing of the arrests, which coincided with the start of committee meetings on Monday.

Gwengwe chairs the Budget Committee, while Kawale chairs the Government Assurances and Public Sector Reforms Committee—both of which are currently in session.

Chithyola Banda said MCP legislators also expressed concerns over the safety and security of Members of Parliament. He added that Speaker Suleman has committed to engaging the Inspector General of Police on the matter.

“MCP members of Parliament will not resume attending committee meetings until our colleagues are released from police custody,” said Chithyola Banda.

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