Malawi parliamentary probe into K128bn hotel deal stalls

A parliamentary inquiry into the K128 billion purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF) appears to have stalled after Parliament adjourned without the release of a formal report.

The investigation by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) focused on potential irregularities regarding the property's valuation, procurement process, and financing. Approximately K90 billion had reportedly been paid to previous owners despite ongoing questions regarding the transaction.

The probe faced significant delays due to the repeated failure of former Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, to appear as a witness. While there were efforts to conclude the inquiry without her testimony, procedural disputes and legal complexities—including a separate court case involving Zamba—contributed to the impasse. The failure to table the report has drawn criticism from civil society organizations, who argue it represents a failure of parliamentary oversight regarding the use of pensioners' savings.