* Part of Parliament’s constitutional oversight mandate that are intended to establish facts, identify weaknesses and recommend practical solutions
* These are concerns have been received from members of the public
By Duncan Mlanjira
Speaker of Parliament, Sameer Suleman has constituted 12 joint committees to investigate a range of public concerns as part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight mandate — that are intended to establish facts, identify weaknesses and recommend practical solutions.
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Parliament Media reports that at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, the Speaker emphasised that these are concerns have been received from members of the public.
Thus Parliament is just responding in a quest to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that public concerns are heard, public resources deliver value and institutions are held accountable for their performance.
Accompanied by some members of the august House, Suleman is reported to have that among the issues to be investigated include alleged preference for foreign transporters in fuel transportation; delays in the Salima-Lilongwe Water Supply Project; public servants’ contributory pension challenges; and procurement concerns at the Blantyre Water Board (BWB).
The joint committees will also examine the ongoing dispute between the BWB and its chief executive officer, allegations surrounding the loss of roughly K700 million in taxpayers’ money, and corruption within both the mining sector and the tobacco industry.
The Committees will also scrutinise the performance and unbundling of the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi ESCOM into Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) and Power Market Limited (PIL).
As well as alleged fraudulent transactions at the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA); delays and alleged corruption in passport services; case backlogs and access to justice at the Judiciary, and conditions in prison formations across the country.
Other inquiries will focus on the alleged sale of tobacco held by the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM), distribution of fertiliser coupons to beneficiaries and governance of mining agreements.
The Speaker, as reported by Parliament Media, stressed that the allegations being investigated should not be treated as facts, as the purpose is to verify claims fairly, hear all affected parties and recommend corrective action where necessary.
“Parliament is not interested in fault finding but to help the government address concerns affecting Malawians,” the Speaker is quoted as saying.
He added public participation would be central to the inquiries, with citizens, civil society, professional bodies and the private sector expected to provide submissions, expert evidence and testimony.
The Joint Committees are expected to present their findings and evidence-based recommendations during the next Meeting of Parliament, after which the House will follow up on implementation.
Suleman also challenged the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to produce the Amaryllis Hotel purchase report within seven days from Tuesday, September 2, 2026.
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