- ACB arrests Energy Minister
- Two other officials arrested
- Alleges oil contract corruption
The Malawian Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested the Energy Minister on allegations of corruption involving state oil contracts. The Energy Minister, Newton Kambala, was arrested alongside Presidential Adviser Chris Banda and Partner in the governing Tonse alliance, Enock Chihana.
The Director, ACB Martha Chizuma, in a press conference, stated that the investigations were carried out following the complaints of the Director of the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) about irregularities in the award of contracts to fuel suppliers. The investigations revealed that Energy Minister attempted to influence contract awards for the 2020-2021 fuel supply. In addition, Kambala allegedly tried to influence the contracts in favour of three suppliers.
”The other part of this investigation was alleged serious political interference and some corrupt practices in the procurement process,” Chizuma said. “And there is a recommendation that there must be prosecution of those that were allegedly involved.”
According to the ACB, the three suspects will appear in court when the ongoing interrogations are completed.