Attorney General Frank Mbeta has denied claims that his office authorised the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF) to proceed with the purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel, a deal valued at K128.75 billion, according to Nyasa Times. Mbeta told the outlet that his legal opinion was misinterpreted, and that the PSPTF board, not his office, was responsible for the investment decision, according to Nyasa Times.
However, Nation Online reports that in a December 28, 2025 response referenced in its report, Mbeta advised the PSPTF board to do a risk review and, if satisfied with the mitigation measures, to “proceed with and conclude the transaction,” while still maintaining he did not “approve” or “authorise” the deal. Nation Online reports that Mbeta’s position is that his role was to provide legal guidance on compliance and risk issues rather than to sanction the purchase.