LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Luthando Holdings Managing Director Hendrix Laher says the company has received a communication this morning from Karonga Diocese, stating that its donor has instructed it not to proceed with a purchase order for two Yamaha XTZ 125E motorcycles from Luthando Holdings.
The reason given, according to the Diocese, is that the company is allegedly facing multiple court cases in Malawi, and a referenced case linked to an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into alleged wrongdoings by the former NEEF CEO where both Luthando Holdings and Laher were mentioned as references.
Laher says this development reflects what he believes is a broader effort to damage his name and that of Luthando Holdings, with the intention of portraying the company as untrustworthy in order to block its business operations.
He says such actions are meant to destroy the company’s credibility and force it out of business, adding that there has been a deliberate narrative pushing the idea that the company should “pack its bags and go back to Ntcheu.”
However, Laher strongly clarifies that Luthando Holdings and its leadership are not currently answering to any criminal or civil cases in any courts in Malawi relating to wrongdoing or fraud.
He also states clearly that the company does not owe MERDEF, formerly known as NEEF, any money at all—“zero tambala.”
Instead, he explains that Luthando Holdings’ accounts and after-sales departments are currently engaged in reconciliation discussions with MERDEF to properly account for outstanding payments, arguing that it is actually MERDEF that owes Luthando Holdings for services and spare parts that were supplied but not yet paid for.
Laher further outlines the only matters currently in court involving the company, stressing that they relate to allegations against Paramount Holdings.
He says Luthando Holdings reported Paramount Holdings for allegedly using fake and fraudulent documents to present itself as an official Yamaha distributor.
Laher further alleges that Paramount Holdings used these documents to win tenders from various government and corporate institutions, misleading them into believing it was the sole authorized distributor and dealer in Malawi.
According to him, this conduct disadvantaged and “suffocated” other legitimate local businesses operating in the same sector.
He also states that Luthando Holdings secured a High Court injunction stopping Yamaha from appointing Paramount Holdings as a distributor or dealer.
Laher says this followed concerns over the authenticity of Paramount’s dealership status, with Yamaha itself reportedly confirming through communication via Malawi’s Embassy in Japan that Paramount Holdings’ previous dealership claims did not originate from Yamaha or any of its official agents.
Laher adds that, together with other Malawian companies, they raised objections and protested against what they believed was the use of fraudulent documentation in the sector.
He further says Luthando Holdings at one point expressed willingness to operate under CFAO Malawi as importers, with CFAO appointing distributors and dealers due to its global professional reputation, but the company refused to associate itself with what it considered fraudulent structures.
He further states that all related matters are now before the Supreme Court of Appeal.
He recalls that the previous Director of Public Prosecutions, Chamkakala, attempted to discontinue the criminal proceedings, even after objections from the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, and says the Supreme Court will now determine the final direction of the matter.
Laher concludes by noting that several companies submitted witness statements to police regarding the alleged use of fake dealership documents by Paramount Holdings.
These companies include Luthando Holdings, Stansfield Motors, Stansfield Motor Services, and Actor Import and Export.
He insists the intention behind exposing these issues was to protect fair business practices in Malawi and prevent fraudulent competition in the automotive distribution sector.
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