Amaryllis scandal: Parliamentary committee pocketed millions ‘to bury the truth’

Malawi Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) members have been accused of receiving K65 million in bribes to influence an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the controversial purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF) from Yusuf Investments Limited “to bury the truth”.

According to a whistleblower complaint officially received by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on April 7, 2026, the money was allegedly received and meant to be disbursed by PAC chairperson Steven Malondera.

The purchase of the hotel was subjected to a parliamentary inquiry after it emerged that it was allegedly overpriced.

Amaryllis Hotel was sold to PSPTF by Yusuf Investments at a reported cost of K128.7 billion, despite independent valuations placing its value at approximately K48 billion.

Renowned lawyer-cum-activist and whistleblower Alexious Kamangila alleges that members of the committee were given the money to manipulate the outcome of the inquiry.“

Malondera corruptly received the sum of MK65 million kwacha from Apostle Clifford Kawinga.

Apostle Kawinga invited Mr. Malondera to his house, where he gave him MK65 million kwacha to influence the committee in the inquiry, to bury the truth,” alleges the opening paragraph of the letter bearing an ACB receipt stamp.

The complaint further alleges that the funds were sourced from businessperson and pastor Apostle Clifford Kawinga and channelled to influence the inquiry process.

However, Kawinga’s direct involvement in the deal could not be independently established.

Kamangila claims that the money was intended to be shared among committee members to sway their position and shield certain individuals from scrutiny.

“The money was to be shared to all members of the Committee for purposes of influencing the inquiry by protecting the main culprits and to also shield some (public) officers from PAC’s scrutiny,” the complaint states.

The whistleblower further claims to have evidence of how the alleged payments were made.

“I have evidence that proves that Mr. Malondera went to the Pastor’s house in Area 43 where the said K65 million was offered,” Kamangila states, adding that this “brings into question the integrity of the inquiry and its findings as a whole.”

Kamangila has since called on the ACB and the Malawi Police Service to investigate the matter and halt the presentation of the committee’s report to Parliament, saying “It will be irresponsible for the National Assembly to receive, discuss and debate a report influenced by corruption,” the complaint reads.

Kamangila further calls on the dissolution of the current committee and that all implicated members step aside pending investigations.

He also assured the ACB of his willingness to cooperate with authorities and provide further evidence, adding that some committee members may be willing to testify if granted legal protection.

Malawi24 could not independently verify the allegations.

Efforts to obtain comment from PAC chairperson Steven Malondera and Apostle Clifford Kawinga were not immediately successful by press time and remain ongoing.

The scandal has implicated public officials from both the previous and current administrations of Presidents Lazarus Chakwera and Peter Mutharika, underscoring the depth and reach of the controversy.

While the process leading to the purchase began during the administration of former President Lazarus Chakwera, the acquisition was finalised under the current administration of President Peter Mutharika, who has recently backed the PAC’s inquiry into the Amaryllis Hotel deal.

Some of the public officials named in connection with the transaction include former Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Colleen Zamba; former Chief of Staff at State House, Prince Kapondamgaga; and former Director of Legal Services at OPC—who also served as Chairperson of the PSPTF Board—Chizaso Nyirongo.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, President Mutharika is yet to suspend or dismiss some of the officials named in the scandal, a development that has drawn criticism from governance advocates.