By Ediwn Mauluka

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has given the government a 21-day ultimatum to act against officials implicated in the controversial MWK128 billion purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pensions Trust Fund (PSPTF).

Speaking to reporters on Friday, HRDC chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said President Peter Mutharika must take decisive action against senior public officials believed to have facilitated the transaction. Those named include Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha and Attorney General Frank Mbeta, who reportedly approved the deal despite warnings about the risks.

Kaiyatsa said HRDC is also demanding the dissolution of the PSPTF Board, accusing it of failing in its fiduciary duty to safeguard pensioners’ contributions. He described the purchase as a serious lapse in stewardship that cannot be ignored.

“Failure to act within this timeframe will compel the Coalition to pursue further lawful measures to ensure accountability,” he warned.

He stressed that the responsibility now rests squarely on the country’s leadership to demonstrate a clear and unequivocal commitment to accountability.

Kaiyatsa also called on law enforcement agencies to act with urgency, arguing that sufficient information is already in the public domain — particularly through Public Accounts Committee (PAC) proceedings — to warrant criminal investigations.

“The Fiscal Police must act without delay, and where evidence supports it, arrests and prosecutions must follow,” said Kaiyatsa. “All individuals implicated in the transaction must also be subjected to lifestyle audits.”

He added that a transaction of this magnitude should have been subjected to strict internal controls, including rigorous due diligence, full documentation, and independent review within the pension fund.

Kaiyatsa further faulted the Ministry of Finance for failing to raise early red flags, as well as the Registrar of Financial Institutions for not acting promptly when suspicions first emerged in November. He also said the Financial Intelligence Authority should have tracked and flagged the transaction in real time.

HRDC is calling for a full, independent, and transparent investigation, alongside the recovery of any misappropriated public funds.

“It is not enough to identify wrongdoing; the state must ensure that stolen or misused resources are returned to their rightful purpose. We note with cautious optimism reports that significant amounts of money have already been traced and frozen through the efforts of regulatory authorities. These steps are commendable, but they must lead to concrete outcomes, including prosecutions and full restitution,” he said.

The coalition also raised concerns about the conduct of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi, who initially told Parliament there was no evidence of corruption in the transaction, despite acknowledging operational risks.

“It is deeply troubling that such a conclusion was reached when multiple red flags were already apparent,” Kaiyatsa said. “While we note his subsequent decision to reopen investigations and freeze related bank accounts, this sequence raises legitimate questions about the independence, thoroughness, and responsiveness of the ACB.”

He emphasized that anti-corruption bodies must act proactively and without hesitation to restore public trust.

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