1. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (“the Bureau”) has arrested the following individuals for allegedly committing various offences under the Corrupt Practices Act, Financial Crimes Act and the Penal Code:
(a) Greenbelt Authority (GBA) Officials: (1) Linda Phiri, Director of Finance and Investments, (2) Masautso Kamowa, Procurement and Assets Disposal Manager, and (3) Synoden Kautsi, Infrastructure Development Manager.
(b) Contractors: (1) Kenneth Khonje, Managing Director of Einstein Construction Limited, (2) Victor Chabwera, Managing Director of PLMB Engineering Investment respectively and (3) Ephrone Mwenitete, Managing Director of EMD Consulting Engineers.
2. The arrests follow investigations into a complaint received by the Bureau on 10th November 2025, alleging that in 2025, GBA dubiously awarded contracts and made advance payments of MK28,934,056,997.83 to Einstein Construction Limited, PLMB Civil Engineering Investments, EMD Consulting Engineers and other Contractors, whose identities will be revealed after effecting all warrants of arrest obtained by the Bureau in the matter.
3. The Bureau’s investigations have so far established the following:
(a) That GBA dubiously awarded contracts to construct and rehabilitate four irrigation schemes namely: Nthola Ilora in Karonga, Lweya in Nkhata-Bay, Mlambe in Mangochi and Nchalo in Chikwawa. Malawi Government funded the said four irrigation projects under the greenbelt initiative project;
(b) That the actual amount of money dubiously paid by GBA to the contracted companies was MK36,782,078,832.91, and not the MK28.9 billion reported in the complaint; and
(c) That the said sum of MK36,782,078,832.91 was paid without performance bond and using fake work certificates. The money was later withdrawn from various banks and used for political campaigns and some was paid to GBA employees.
4. The Bureau further informs the public that in addition to the six suspects already arrested, it is in possession of warrants of arrest for three more GBA employees and two Contractors bringing the total number of wanted individuals to five. Efforts are underway to track and
apprehend these suspects, some of whom have, for the past 24 hours, not been found at their known physical addresses and are out of reach. All arrested suspects will be taken to Court to be formally charged within the constitutionally prescribed 48 hour period. The Bureau further advises the Public that it will soon obtain another set of warrants of arrest for more suspects in the matter.
5. The Anti-Corruption Bureau further takes this opportunity to inform the general public that it has commenced investigations into several high-profile cases involving allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and corrupt use/ exercise of official powers. The Bureau assures Malawians that all cases of corruption warranting attention, will be thoroughly investigated and once evidence of wrong-doing is uncovered, swift and decisive action will be taken to hold those responsible, accountable.
Dated this 17th day of January, 2026
GABRIEL G. CHEMBEZI
ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL
