Update: The Anti-Corruption Bureau is responding to formal complaints regarding a controversial fuel procurement deal, following earlier reports of a $25 million National Oil Company of Malawi contract. According to the Nyasa Times, the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives filed a complaint demanding an urgent investigation into NOCMA engaging Savari Energy DMCC, a company reportedly linked to businessman Zuneth Sattar. Sattar remains suspended from conducting business with the Malawi government due to ongoing corruption proceedings in the United Kingdom. On March 18, Acting ACB Director General Gabriel Chembezi confirmed the bureau is actively handling the matter and will issue a formal position on the civil society group's allegations.
In a separate legal development, the High Court of Malawi has upheld a decision by Ombudsman Grace Malera to disqualify two shortlisted candidates for the position of ACB director. In a column published March 18, legal journalist Carmel Rickard reported that Judge Simeon Mdeza recently ruled that the shortlisting of former acting director Hillary Chilomba and Oscar Taulo was irregular. The court found that the advertised requirements for the position were lower than the standards stipulated by law, meaning neither candidate met the statutory minimum qualifications to head the anti-graft agency. The ruling affects efforts to appoint a permanent director, as the bureau has relied on temporary leadership since Martha Chizuma vacated the post in March 2024.