PAC closes hotel probe, Zamba fails to show up

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has closed its investigation into the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s acquisition of Amaryllis Hotel and will table its final report in the National Assembly this week. PAC chairperson Steven Malondera said in Lilongwe yesterday that the committee resolved to proceed that way after receiving communication from lawyers representing former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba that she was receiving medical treatment abroad. “The committee has interfaced with several stakeholders and we are satisfied with the information gathered.

The findings will be presented to Parliament on Wednesday or Thursday,” he said. PAC summoned Zamba for an interview scheduled for March 30 2026 and submit documents by March 27. However, her lawyer George Kadzipatike wrote to the Clerk of Parliament on March 26 stating that she could not comply.

“Our client is currently attending to medical treatment outside the country and is therefore unable to appear before the committee or provide documentation within such a short period,” reads the letter. Malondera said the letter had no supporting medical reports and further observed that Zamba left Malawi on February 16 and was due back on March 16, but sought an extension of her hospital stay through a court hearing for the application set for April 7. Kadzipatike said Zamba’s return will depend on the pace of her recovery.

[paywall]

PAC launched the probe amid revelations that the fund negotiated the price down from K185 billion to K128.75 billion last November. The Reserve Bank of Malawi has since frozen about K72.6 billion linked to the transaction and fined trustees for defying a directive from the registrar. Malondera earlier described Zamba as a key witness, citing her central role in decisions leading to the deal.

Former State Residences chief of staff Prince Kapondamgaga, who was also summoned, appeared before the committee. Meanwhile, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira questioned why the committee did not opt for virtual proceedings. Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation executive director Michael Kaiyatsa said proceeding without Zamba leaves the inquiry incomplete. On his part, former PAC chairperson Alekeni Menyani backed the committee’s decision to proceed.

[/paywall]