Former Malawi Cabinet Secretary Colleen Zamba Faces Parliamentary Heat Over Repeated Absences
Colleen Zamba, former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) in Malawi, is under increasing scrutiny after refusing for the third time to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament. Her absence has sparked concerns about accountability and the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight, particularly in the ongoing investigation into the controversial purchase of Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF).
Zamba’s latest refusal came in a letter from her lawyer, George Kadzipatike, addressed to the Clerk of Parliament. Kadzipatike argued that Zamba cannot testify before the PAC because she is a party to a related court case, invoking the sub judice rule. Additionally, the letter stated that Zamba is currently receiving medical treatment outside Malawi, suggesting that even if she were in the country, she would not appear before the committee.
This marks the third consecutive time Zamba has declined to honor PAC summonses, raising eyebrows among lawmakers and analysts. Critics argue that her justifications—whether legal, procedural, or medical—are becoming increasingly untenable.
“The committee will invoke its powers to ensure attendance and the production of necessary information where it is required,” PAC Chairperson Steve Malondera stated firmly, signaling growing impatience within the oversight body.
Sources within Parliament suggest the committee is considering tougher measures, including requesting the Speaker to issue a summons with penal consequences. Such a move could escalate the standoff between Parliament’s authority and Zamba’s persistent resistance, potentially setting a precedent for future cases of parliamentary scrutiny.
This is not the first time Zamba has clashed with parliamentary committees. In 2022, during investigations into the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) fuel procurement scandal, she refused to appear before the PAC after then Acting CEO Hellen Buluma accused her of pressuring officials to award contracts under questionable circumstances. At the time, Zamba relied on advice from the Attorney General to avoid testifying, a position that was publicly challenged by the Malawi Law Society.
Political analysts warn that Zamba’s repeated refusals go beyond an individual case, posing a broader threat to the credibility of parliamentary oversight. They caution that allowing senior public officials to sidestep accountability risks eroding public trust in governance institutions.
“This standoff is not just about Colleen Zamba—it’s about the integrity of parliamentary oversight itself,” one analyst noted. “If senior officials can repeatedly avoid accountability, it sets a dangerous precedent for governance in Malawi.”
The PAC’s inquiry into the Amaryllis Hotel purchase continues, with key figures, including current SPC Justin Saidi and representatives of Yusuf Investment Limited, expected to testify. However, Zamba’s absence casts a long shadow over the proceedings. Her testimony is widely seen as crucial to understanding the role of senior government officials in the PSPTF transaction, raising uncomfortable questions about how long a witness can simply refuse to cooperate.
As the PAC weighs its next steps, the case underscores the delicate balance between parliamentary authority and individual accountability in Malawi’s political landscape.
Reported by Nexio News
