Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau Chief Accused of Interfering in Parliamentary Inquiry
Steven Baba Malondera Kamsiyamo, Chairperson of Malawi’s Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has filed a formal complaint against Gabriel Chembezi, Acting Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), accusing him of attempting to manipulate a parliamentary inquiry into the controversial Amaryllis transaction. The allegations, detailed in a seven-page complaint dated April 22, 2026, claim that Chembezi sought to influence the PAC process to secure his permanent appointment as ACB Director.
This high-stakes dispute has cast a shadow over Malawi’s efforts to combat corruption, raising questions about the integrity of institutions tasked with upholding accountability. Kamsiyamo’s complaint paints a picture of repeated attempts by Chembezi to leverage his position and investigative powers to sway the inquiry’s outcome.
The First Encounter: A Shocking Request
According to Kamsiyamo, the initial contact occurred on March 10, 2026, when Chembezi allegedly reached out via WhatsApp after obtaining his contact information through a relative. Later that evening, the two met at Africa House in Lilongwe. During the meeting, Chembezi reportedly claimed he was being unfairly targeted by members of the Malawi Law Society, who were using the Amaryllis investigation to block his confirmation as substantive ACB Director.
Kamsiyamo alleges that Chembezi directly requested to be “cleared” by the PAC inquiry to facilitate his permanent appointment. “I was stunned by the request,” Kamsiyamo stated in the complaint, noting that he declined to provide any such assurance.
Seeking Leverage: ACB Files as Bargaining Chips
The complaint details a second encounter on March 30, 2026, when Chembezi allegedly visited Kamsiyamo’s residence in an unregistered black Mercedes Benz. During this meeting, Chembezi reportedly referenced active ACB cases, allegedly attempting to use them as leverage to pressure Kamsiyamo.
Among the allegations, Chembezi is said to have presented a document accusing Kamsiyamo of misusing K1.1 billion allocated for the Mzuzu Airport rehabilitation during his tenure as Deputy Minister—a claim Kamsiyamo disputes, arguing the project predated his time in office. Chembezi also allegedly referenced politically sensitive cases, including one involving Eisenhower Mkaka, suggesting that cooperation could influence outcomes.
Additionally, Chembezi reportedly linked the matter to property allegedly returned to the ACB by Prince Kapondamgaga and hinted at his ability to “clear” certain individuals, including Simplex Chithyola, in exchange for favorable treatment in the PAC inquiry.
Third-Party Pressure and Threats
When direct efforts allegedly failed, Kamsiyamo claims Chembezi turned to intermediaries. On April 3, 2026, Alexius Kamangila reportedly contacted Kamsiyamo, urging him to clear Chembezi in the inquiry. Upon refusal, Kamangila allegedly branded Kamsiyamo as an “enemy,” threatened to tarnish his reputation, and demanded access to the draft PAC report before its official presentation—a move Kamsiyamo described as improper and unethical.
Escalation to Law Enforcement
Concerned for his personal safety and the integrity of the PAC process, Kamsiyamo reported the matter to Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga as early as March 14, 2026. In his complaint, he acknowledged the “awkward position” of reporting the head of the ACB to law enforcement while the institution itself remains central to the allegations under scrutiny.
Calls for an Independent Investigation
Kamsiyamo has formally requested a full and independent investigation into both Chembezi and Kamangila, describing their alleged actions as “corrupt overreaches” and interference with parliamentary oversight. Copies of the complaint have been forwarded to President Arthur Peter Mutharika, Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleiman, the Attorney General, and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The allegations have sparked widespread concern, highlighting the challenges of maintaining transparency and accountability in Malawi’s anti-corruption efforts. As the inquiry unfolds, the credibility of both the PAC and the ACB hangs in the balance, with the nation watching closely for the outcome.
— Reported by Nexio News
