* This is in accordance with Section 10 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act that aims to prevent the disposal or concealment of products of crime
* Conduct the processes within four working day upon receipt of submissions to minimise disruption to public service delivery
By Duncan Mlanjira
On August 6, 2021 the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) discontinued vetting and clearance of applications of change of ownership of motor vehicle, houses and land — but the process was re-introduced on November 13, 2025 having determined its need to.
Advertisement
A statement issued on November 13 by acting ACB acting Director General, Gabriel Chembezi, which most of the members of the public missed, indicates that all applications of change of ownership of motor vehicle, houses and land will first be required to be submitted to the ACB for vetting and clearance before any change of ownership is effected.
This is in accordance with Section 10 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act that aims to prevent the disposal or concealment of products of crime.
In discontinuing the vetting in 2021, the ACB indicated that should the need arise, the process would be re-introduced — and that “a need has arisen that has necessitated its re-introduction” but without indicated the specific need.
The ACB thus communicated the development to the Department of Road Traffic & Safety Services (DRTSS), Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Malawi Housing Corporation and all Municipal, City and District Councils.
Acting Director General, Gabriel Chembezi
The ACB assured the public then that it would conduct the vetting and clearance processes within four working day upon receipt of submissions to minimise disruption to public service delivery
The ACB also appealed to public officials of the concerned institutions as well as members of the public to cooperate fully with graft bursting body in the exercise and to desist from indulging any form of corrupt practices aimed at frustrating the process.
Meanwhile, the ACB arrested several senior officials from the Greenbelt Authority (GBA) and private contracting firms in connection with alleged corruption and financial crimes involving irrigation contracts worth over K36.7 billion.
In a statement released on Saturday by acting Director General Chembezi, the arrests follow investigations into a complaint received in November 2025, alleging abuse of office and irregular payments in contracts awarded by GBA to Einstein Construction Limited and PLMB Civil Engineering Investments.
Chembezi indicates that “advance payments amounting to more than K28 billion were made to the contractors without the projects being executed.”
The arrested officials include GBA director of finance & investments, Linda Phiri; procurement & assets disposal manager, Yamatsuko Kamowa; infrastructure development manager Snyden Kaulus — along with contractors, Managing Director of Einstein Construction Limited, Kenneth Khonje; Managing Director of PLMB Engineering Investment, Victor Chabwera; and Chad Mwintete, Managing Director of EMD Consulting Engineers.
GBA director of finance & investments, Linda Phiri
Preliminary findings, according to the ACB, indicate that the contracts were awarded to construct and rehabilitate irrigation schemes in Nkhotakota, Karonga, Lilongwe and Nkhata Bay, but the projects were never implemented despite substantial payments being made.
“The investigations have established that K36,782,078,832.91 was paid to the two contracted companies and that this money was paid without performance bonds and using fake work certificates,” reads the statement.
The Bureau further said part of the funds was withdrawn from various banks and used for political campaigns and other personal purposes. Four suspects remain at large, including three GBA employees and two contractors, bringing the total number of wanted individuals to five.
Chembezi said in the statement that the arrests demonstrates the Bureau’s commitment to fighting corruption in public projects: “All arrested suspects will be taken to court to be formally charged within the constitutionally prescribed 48-hour period, and further arrests are expected as investigations continue.”—Reporting on the arrests by Santos Zefania, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
Advertisement