GOVERNANCE | Justice & Accountability | Environment
By The Forum
Malawi’s civil society organisations (CSOs) have demanded answers over what they believe is a move by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Fostino Mayele, to discontinue corruption charges against convicted wildlife trafficker Lin Yun Hua, a Chinese national widely regarded as a kingpin in an international trafficking syndicate.
Twelve organisations have called on Mayele to publicly explain allegations that he advised the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to withdraw corruption-related charges against Lin.
“Such an explanation is essential to demonstrate that the decision is grounded solely in legal merit and the public interest, and that it does not compromise the integrity of Malawi’s anti-corruption efforts, law enforcement institutions, and the fight against wildlife criminal networks,” the organisations said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The groups have also called on Mayele to recuse himself from any decision involving Lin, citing what they describe as a potential conflict of interest.
“His former role as legal counsel for the same accused person creates, at minimum, an appearance of bias that no democracy can tolerate,” the statement said.
“If the DPP refuses to recuse himself, we call upon the President and the Malawi Law Society to intervene and advise on what may constitute a breach of prosecutorial ethics.”
According to the CSOs, any move to abandon the case risks eroding public confidence in both the ACB and the Office of the DPP, while raising questions about their independence and commitment to the rule of law.
The organisations have threatened to lodge a formal complaint with the Malawi Law Society, alleging possible professional misconduct, unless the DPP provides what they describe as a satisfactory explanation of his advice to the ACB.
Lin was arrested in 2019 and later convicted on wildlife trafficking charges. He was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment for possession of listed species, including rhino horn, and for dealing in government trophy under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
He also received a six-year sentence for money laundering under the Financial Crimes Act. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, and he was expected to be deported to China upon completion of his prison term.
In July 2025, however, Lin was among 37 prisoners pardoned by President Lazarus Chakwera as part of Malawi’s 61st Independence Anniversary commemorations.
Following the pardon, the ACB sought to pursue separate corruption-related cases against him.
The CSOs have described any attempt to withdraw those charges as “retrogressive”.
“Any decision that appears to weaken accountability for individuals linked to serious wildlife crimes risks sending contradictory signals and undermining national efforts to strengthen environmental governance, combat wildlife trafficking, and reinforce public confidence in Malawi’s commitment to protecting its biodiversity and natural resources,” the statement said.
Their concerns come as Malawi continues to grapple with wildlife crime despite progress made in recent years.
The recently launched National State of the Environment Outlook Report 2026 identifies poaching and wildlife trafficking as persistent threats to the country’s environmental sustainability. Similar concerns are echoed in the Seventh National Biodiversity Report, the National Ecosystem Assessment, and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan III.
The 12 organisations behind the statement have given authorities 14 days to respond before they consider further action.
They include Indigenous Conservation of Nature (ICON), the Association of Environmental Journalists (AEJ), the Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA), the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), the Coordination Union for Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the Movement for Environmental Action, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT), the National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC), Wildlife Action Group, the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM), and Youth and Society (YAS).
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