As Parliament’s probe into the controversial Amaryllis Hotel purchase intensifies, tensions have spilled onto social media, with the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) forced to publicly deny allegations that he solicited a K65 million bribe.
Lawyer Alexious Kamangila, who has been vocal about the Amaryllis Hotel deal, sparked the controversy after posting a pointed question on his Facebook page directed at PAC chairperson Baba Steven K. Malondera, asking: “Baba Steven K Malondera 65 million yayenda bwanji?”
The post quickly drew attention online, prompting Malondera to respond both in the comments section of Kamangila’s page and through his own official Facebook account, where he strongly rejected the accusations.
Malondera said he has consistently encouraged professionals and institutions to contribute their expertise to strengthen the parliamentary inquiry, citing appeals he made to the Malawi Law Society and NICO Asset Managers when they appeared before the committee.
“I have opened the floor for members to ask questions without gagging anyone,” Malondera wrote. “I shall not at any point water down the inquiry and everyone involved will appear before the committee at Parliament so that anyone with documentary and conclusive evidence can help us in cleaning our great nation.”
He further stressed that he has not received any money from anyone in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Amaryllis Hotel purchase.
“I have not collected any money be it big or small from anyone in relation to the inquiry and I don’t intend to compromise my integrity and that of Parliament because of money,” he said. “Be assured of my patriotism and total desire for a better Malawi.”
Malondera also reiterated that all individuals connected to the controversial transaction will be summoned to appear before the committee as the inquiry progresses.
“All the people who are involved shall appear before the Public Accounts Committee at Parliament,” he said, adding that the committee will continue updating its programme as more witnesses are identified.
According to Malondera, several institutions have been engaged to help analyse the issues surrounding the transaction and contribute to the final report that the committee will present.
He also suggested that attempts to discredit the committee could be coming from individuals unhappy with the direction of the investigation.
“I know momwe tikulondoloza chilungamo adani ndi asinzina m’tole sakukondwa and they will do anything to discredit the committee,” he wrote. “That will not stop us from remaining focused and delivering our core mandate.”
The Public Accounts Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into the suspicious purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund at a staggering price of K128 billion.
