President Peter Mutharika has been asked to dismiss Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka and Attorney General Frank Mbeta and to suspend George Partridge, governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, over their alleged links to the controversial Amaryllis Hotel deal, according to a statement released Friday.
The purchase of the luxury Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF) has triggered a high-stakes public finance controversy. Lawmakers on the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament have opened an inquiry into the transaction, and the latest demand places senior government officials at the center of the investigation.
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Committee members say the PSPTF acquisition raises questions about governance, due diligence and the protection of pension assets. The allegations focus on whether public officials used their offices to influence or facilitate the purchase, and whether the terms of the deal were in the best interest of pension contributors.
Requested actions submitted to the president include:
- Immediate dismissal of Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka.
- Immediate dismissal of Attorney General Frank Mbeta.
- Suspension of George Partridge, governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, pending the outcome of the parliamentary probe.
The Public Accounts Committee has launched hearings to scrutinize financial records, approvals and communications related to the PSPTF transaction. The panel has the authority to summon witnesses and demand documents from ministries, state bodies and the pension fund itself.
Officials tied to the PSPTF have defended the purchase as a strategic investment intended to diversify the fund’s portfolio and boost returns for contributors. Critics counter that the acquisition of an upscale hotel — following reports of irregular approval processes — could expose pensioners to undue financial risk and undermine public trust in fund management.
The involvement of the Reserve Bank’s governor in the calls for suspension underscores the political as well as technical dimensions of the inquiry. The central bank supervises aspects of the country’s financial system that could be implicated if regulatory or procedural lapses are found. Removal or suspension of a central bank governor would be an uncommon and politically sensitive step.
How President Mutharika responds will determine the immediate political fallout. A decision to dismiss or suspend the named officials could placate critics demanding accountability but may also deepen divisions within the governing coalition. A refusal to act could escalate pressure on the presidency, intensify parliamentary scrutiny and prolong the probe.
The Public Accounts Committee said it will continue to take evidence and examine the transaction’s paper trail. Any formal recommendations from the committee are expected to be forwarded to the full parliament for debate and potential action.
As the investigation proceeds, pensioners, lawmakers and anti-corruption advocates are watching closely for signs that governance weaknesses will be addressed and that public funds will be safeguarded.
By News-room
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
