Former State Residences Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga was arrested on June 22 on allegations of abuse of office and fraud connected to the K128 billion purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel, according to Nation Online. The arrest became a legal dispute when police initially refused to release him despite a court order, prompting his lawyer, Donvan Silungwe, to secure an amended release order on June 23. In a related development, Nyasa Times reports that a court declined a request by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to extend a freeze on over K35 billion linked to Yusuf Investment, the hotel's former owners. ACB Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi expressed concern that the unfreezing could compromise ongoing investigations.
In another case involving law enforcement and the judiciary, businessperson Madalitso Hussein Chipiko has asked the High Court to hold Inspector General Richard Luhanga in contempt of court. According to Nyasa Times, Chipiko's legal team alleges that police ignored a June 21 court injunction barring her detention. Meanwhile, police in Lilongwe arrested political activist Fredrick Billy Malata on June 22. Nyasa Times reports that while National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo confirmed the arrest at Lingadzi Police Station, no official reasons were provided. Sources suggest the detention is linked to an alleged cyber crime involving senior government officials.
In other enforcement news, a Burundian refugee was arrested in Zomba for operating a grocery business outside the Dzaleka Refugee Camp without authorization, according to Malawi24. Furthermore, ESCOM commended community members and estate security guards in Thyolo who intercepted four suspected vandals attempting to steal a 100kVA transformer on the night of June 21.