The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has called on authorities to urgently explain the whereabouts of 30 million litres of fuel reportedly donated to the country by the Democratic Republic of Congo, exposing another corruption scandal affecting citizens already struggling with economic hardships.
In a formal letter addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions and copied to key officials, including Acting Director General of the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Gabriel Chembezi, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa has demanded an immediate investigation into the alleged disappearance of the fuel, which was meant to ease the country’s fuel crisis.
CDEDI claims that while Malawi reportedly received the donation at the peak of the fuel shortage, only about 1.2 million litres actually reached the country, with the remainder allegedly diverted and sold to a company in Tanzania.
“A local company was involved in this transaction. Just like the Amaryllis Hotel, Malawians are interested in this matter since the fuel came in the name of Malawians and not specific individuals,” reads part of the letter.
The organization emphasized that Malawians, as taxpayers and beneficiaries of the donation, have the right to know how the fuel was handled and whether public officials or private entities benefited improperly.
The civil society group has also referenced remarks by former President Lazarus Chakwera, who previously indicated that he was aware of corrupt elements within the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), but has yet to publicly substantiate those claims.
“Since the former President is on record to have hinted that he knew the corrupt elements at NOCMA, CDEDI is challenging you Counsel, to follow up on these sentiments which we believe have provided you with a very handy starting point to follow up on this gift from the DRC. Let those involved in this transaction account for their actions and/or failure to do so,” Namiwa stated in the letter.
CDEDI has urged authorities to treat the matter with urgency, warning that failure to act could deepen public mistrust and further erode confidence in institutions tasked with safeguarding national resources.
The issue comes against the backdrop of heightened public scrutiny on the management of public resources, following ongoing parliamentary inquiries into controversial sale of Amaryllis Hotel.
