ADMARC planned to spend K3 billion on 100 tarpaulins, but never saw the Anti-Corruption Bureau coming to block the deal amid suspected corruption, leaving taxpayers questioning how a single tarpaulin could cost K30 million.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has blocked ADMARC’s K3 billion tarpaulin procurement deal over suspected corruption.
ACB Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi has issued a restriction notice dated October 9, 2026, stopping the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation-ADMARC from awarding the contract to Maiden Investment.
The contract, referenced as ADMARC/NCB/TP/2026/2027/02, was for the supply of 100 tarpaulins.
Chembezi has directed ADMARC not to proceed with any award to Maiden Investment or any other company without his written consent.
Chembezi confirmed the restriction notice to the National Publications Limited.
The deal has sparked public outcry, with stakeholders questioning how tarpaulins could cost K30 million each.
Meanwhile ACB says it is investigating a suspected offence under the Corrupt Practices Act.
For the past years ADMARC is one of the government institutions which has been crying for government bailouts for the recent years.
Recently Malawians have been asking how the corporation operates, citing an example where its Chief Executive Officer Ben Botolo has been lodging in a hotel for nearly 10 months.
One concerned citizen writing on his page Fraser Enock said ADMARC is recklessly using taxpayers money, and that the cooperation is showing it financial irresponsibness.
“This is a company that once came close to shutting down its operations because it had no money and inadequate funding, yet today they have the audacity to recklessly use taxpayer money just like that” he said.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has blocked ADMARC’s K3 billion tarpaulin procurement deal over suspected corruption.
ACB Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi has issued a restriction notice dated October 9, 2026, stopping the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation-ADMARC from awarding the contract to Maiden Investment.
The contract, referenced as ADMARC/NCB/TP/2026/2027/02, was for the supply of 100 tarpaulins.
Chembezi has directed ADMARC not to proceed with any award to Maiden Investment or any other company without his written consent.
Chembezi confirmed the restriction notice to the National Publications Limited.
The deal has sparked public outcry, with stakeholders questioning how tarpaulins could cost K30 million each.
Meanwhile ACB says it is investigating a suspected offence under the Corrupt Practices Act.
For the past years ADMARC is one of the government institutions which has been crying for government bailouts for the recent years.
Recently Malawians have been asking how the corporation operates, citing an example where its Chief Executive Officer Ben Botolo has been lodging in a hotel for nearly 10 months.
One concerned citizen writing on his page Fraser Enock said ADMARC is recklessly using taxpayers money, and that the cooperation is showing it financial irresponsibness.
“This is a company that once came close to shutting down its operations because it had no money and inadequate funding, yet today they have the audacity to recklessly use taxpayer money just like that” he said.
