LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A former ally of Malawi’s ruling party has accused one of the country’s most senior civil servants of corruptly allocating prime land to foreign investors, in a case that could deepen political tensions in President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration.
Anthony Bendulo — an ICT specialist who once testified in support of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) during the disputed 2019 elections — has launched a series of blistering allegations against Colleen Zamba, the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC).
In a string of Facebook posts, Bendulo claims Ms Zamba authorised the free transfer of 417 hectares of government land in Lilongwe’s Area 55, also known as Magwero, to an Indian company. He alleges the property is worth around 130 billion Malawian kwacha (US$70 million).
“Madam Colleen Zamba gave away 130 billion kwacha worth of land to Indians for free, in the name of investors,” Bendulo wrote.
Claims of sidestepping the law
Bendulo says the land deal was not only irregular but accompanied by a purge of senior officials at the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) who resisted the plan.
He alleges Ms Zamba refused to renew the contract of MITC chief executive Paul Kwengwere and replaced him with Kruger Phiri without following formal appointment procedures — no interviews, no vetting.
The whistleblower further claims the Indian company demanded a 99-year lease, exceeding the 50-year limit set in Malawian law.
“This was all engineered to hand over the land,” Bendulo wrote. “The law was bypassed.”
Political fallout
If proven, the allegations could prove politically damaging for President Chakwera, whose MCP-led government is already under scrutiny for perceived governance failures. Bendulo — who insists he remains loyal to the MCP — says Ms Zamba’s conduct has “damaged the good work” of the president.
“I am MCP and this is my government,” he said. “But we must change the SPC.”
Political analysts say the dispute highlights growing internal fractures within Chakwera’s inner circle, and may complicate his efforts to present a united front ahead of the 2025 general elections.
Retaliation and Digital Threats
Bendulo claims that since going public, he has faced intimidation attempts — including what he describes as a failed phishing attack from overseas agents.
“They sent me a link to hack my phone,” he said. “This is kindergarten stuff — baby tactics.”
Silence from Officials
Neither Ms Zamba nor the Office of the President and Cabinet has issued a public response to the allegations. The BBC has not been able to independently verify Bendulo’s claims, and no formal charges have been announced.
Good governance campaigners say the case underscores long-standing concerns about Malawi’s land management, where disputes over allocation to foreign investors have periodically sparked public backlash.
With the country still grappling with economic strain and public frustration over corruption, the outcome of this dispute could shape both domestic political dynamics and Malawi’s credibility with international partners.
