The Amaryllis Hotel scandal: An inquiry completed, but where is the accountability?

AI-generated image taken from CCTV footage as Collins Magalasi supervised loading of alleged Amaryllis cash

* Resources looters walk in the bank in suits under the escort of the military, expanders in hand in day light

* No alarm. Those entrusted with public resources wear suits, occupy positions of authority, and travel under military escort

* Who is holding these men in suits accountable, asks Canada-based Malawian economist and accountable governance advocate, Dr James Kadyampakeni

By Duncan Mlanjira

Canada-based Malawian economist and accountable governance advocate, Dr James Kadyampakeni writes: “Consider the Amaryllis Hotel transaction. An inquiry was conducted, serious concerns were raised, and a Commission of Inquiry was expected to help establish the facts.

“Yet Malawians are entitled to ask a fundamental question: What tangible consequences have followed, and who is being held accountable?

“An inquiry must not become the final destination of a scandal. Its findings must lead to appropriate action, whether that means further investigation, prosecution where evidence supports criminal charges, recovery of public funds, or reforms to prevent a recurrence.”

Kadyampakeni is reacting to the Amaryllis Hotel scandal, especially the recent exposure when a leaked CCTV footage went viral on social media showing former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) CEO, Collins Magalasi supervising loading of billions of kwacha that had been cashed as the bank.

He is caught on camera along with a law enforcement officer, who was loading travel expanders full of cash into a vehicle.

“Resources looters walk in the bank in suits under the escort of the military, expanders in hand in day light — no alarm,” emphasises Kadyampakeni. “Those entrusted with public resources wear suits, occupy positions of authority, and travel under military escort.

“Who is holding these men in suits accountable. Malawians cannot afford investigations that generate headlines, reports that gather dust, and public outrage that eventually fades while accountability remains elusive.

“Who is holding these men in suits accountable when the alleged plunder of public resources takes place in broad daylight?”

Kadyampakeni highlights an example of Hollywood movie script of bank-heist thrillers, which shows armed robbers storming banks with their faces covered and guns blazing.

“They grab the money, the alarm is triggered, and they flee while the police launch a manhunt.

“In Malawi, the imagery is disturbingly different. Those entrusted with public resources wear suits, occupy positions of authority, and may travel under military escort.

“The question is whether our institutions are adequately equipped and willing to investigate allegations of wrongdoing involving powerful individuals.

“A military escort should never be mistaken for a certificate of integrity. A government title should never be a shield against scrutiny.

“The Amaryllis Hotel controversy makes the question of accountability even more urgent. Parliament, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the police, and other oversight institutions must demonstrate that their work produces meaningful results.

“The public deserves transparent updates on investigations, the status of funds, decisions on prosecution, and the steps being taken to protect pensioners’ money.”

Kadyampakeni also observes that the civil society organisations, “that once paraded the streets demanding accountability and defending the public interest”, seem to have disappeared yet they in plain sight.

“Where are the professional associations, churches, student movements, and citizens who previously mobilised against injustice?

“Have we become so accustomed to scandal that we now accept it as part of everyday life? Malawians should not have to choose between poverty and silence.

“Nor should they have to accept that powerful people are beyond the reach of the law. The Amaryllis affair must not end as another chapter in Malawi’s long history of unanswered questions. The public deserves answers.

“Investigations must be followed through; evidence must be tested fairly; and where criminal conduct is established, the law must take its course without fear or favour.

“Our national wealth belongs to the people, not to those who temporarily occupy public office. Malawi is not anyone’s private bank; the national treasury is not a personal ATM.

“And an inquiry without meaningful follow-through risks becoming nothing more than an expensive exercise in public frustration,” emphasises Dr. Kadyampakeni.

On Friday, Minister of Information, Shadric Namalomba, is quoted by MBCDigital saying the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) must be applauded for demonstrating true leadership by refusing to shield anyone involved in or suspected of corruption.

He was referring to the arrest of Collins Magalasi, who was a key figure of the team that unveiled the DPP’s manifesto ahead of the September 16, 2025 election last.

Namalomba is further quoted by the national broadcaster that the arrest proves that no one is above the law under the DPP administration.

“Namalomba’s remarks come against the backdrop of CCTV footage purportedly showing Magalasi with some unknown individuals carrying suitcases alleged to contain money from a bank,” reports MBCDigital.

Magalasi was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with the controversial Amaryllis Hotel deal amid ongoing investigations into the movement of billions of kwacha following the sale of the hotel.

Nyasa Times reported that previous scrutiny centred on K5.497 billion withdrawn in cash from the Yusuf Investments account at National Bank between January and March 2026.

“According to information emerging from the investigation, Magalasi is alleged to have been involved in a K5 billion cash withdrawal operation, in which proxies reportedly withdrew the money from National Bank before handing it over to him.

“The proxies are said to have been told the money was being taken to State House.

“The wider Amaryllis saga has already raised significant concerns over the handling of billions of kwacha from the hotel transaction, with parliamentary investigations also examining the suspicious cash withdrawals separately,” reports the Nyasa Times.