Collins Magalasi charged with hacking President Mutharika's phone

Collins Magalasi, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), is facing multiple criminal charges including espionage, fraud, theft, and money laundering.

In a cybercrime case, Magalasi is accused of aiding an individual to hack the mobile phones of President Peter Mutharika and several senior government officials, including cabinet ministers and police leadership, between June and August 2026. The state alleges Magalasi provided a laptop and contact numbers to facilitate the hacking plot.

Separately, Magalasi faces five counts of corruption related to the Public Service Pension Fund and the acquisition of the Amaryllis Hotel. The state alleges Magalasi acted jointly with others to defraud the pension fund through decisions linked to this acquisition.

Magalasi remains in custody following a 7-day remand order. While his defense counsel argued that the state is bringing charges in a “piecemeal” fashion to prevent his release, the state maintains that his financial resources pose a risk of witness interference.