In a renewed effort to curb corruption and track down illegally acquired assets, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has reinstated the vetting and clearance system for property and vehicle ownership transfers, effective November 13, 2025.
According to a statement signed by Acting Director General Gabriel G. Chembezi, the decision follows the need to deal with corruption and prevent the disposal or concealment of property acquired through illegal means. The move is in line with Section 10(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
The process, which was suspended in 2021, will once again require all ownership changes of motor vehicles, houses, and land to be cleared by the Bureau before approval. The ACB statement said this will prevent increasing risk of corrupt property transfers has necessitated the reintroduction of the system.
Institutions that have been affected by the directive include the Department of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS), the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the Malawi Housing Corporation, and all municipal, city, and district councils which the release states communications has been made.
The ACB assured the public that all vetting and clearance applications will be processed within four working days of submission to avoid delays in service delivery.
The Bureau has also appealed to public officials and members of the public to cooperate fully with the new measure and to desist from any corrupt practices that may frustrate the process.
