The arrest of Malawi’s former State Residences Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga has taken a dramatic turn.
A court order seen by Malawi24 suspended the execution of a warrant for his arrest pending a hearing challenging the legality of the warrant.
Earlier on Monday, National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo confirmed that Kapondamgaga had been arrested in Lilongwe but declined to provide further details.
“It is true. Other details to follow,” Chimtembo said.
However, a court order dated 8 June 2026 appears to have restored an application seeking the cancellation of a warrant of arrest issued against Kapondamgaga.
The order further states that the intended arrest of Kapondamgaga pursuant to the warrant, or any arrest without a warrant, was suspended pending the hearing of an inter-partes application challenging the legality of the warrant and any intended arrest.
According to the document, the Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court ordered that the execution of the warrant be suspended until the court determines the application before it.
The development has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Kapondamgaga’s arrest and whether police acted before or after the court order was issued.
Kapondamgaga served as Chief of Staff at State Residences during former president Lazarus Chakwera’s administration and was one of the most senior officials attached to State House.
He has previously been mentioned in public discussions surrounding the controversial acquisition of Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF), a transaction that attracted scrutiny after the hotel was reportedly purchased for about K128.7 billion despite independent valuations placing its value significantly lower.
His name also surfaced alongside other senior officials in relation to matters connected to the transaction, although no criminal findings have been announced against him in relation to the deal.
Police have not yet disclosed the reasons behind Kapondamgaga’s arrest, nor clarified whether the arrest is connected to any ongoing investigations. Kapondamgaga’s arrest follows previous unconfirmed reports of an imminent arrest for former president Chakwera.
Meanwhile, writing on Facebook, renowned whistleblower Alexious Kamangila claimed that the court order had subsequently been vacated, effectively clearing the way for Kapondamgaga’s arrest. However, Malawi24 was unable to independently verify the claim at the time of publication.
If confirmed, the development would explain the apparent contradiction between the court order suspending the warrant and the police’s decision to proceed with the arrest.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
