LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Pressure is mounting over the controversial sale of Amaryllis Hotel as Malawi Civil Society Led-Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM) taskforce has formally notified the Blantyre District Council of planned peaceful demonstrations and vigils scheduled for June 1, 2026.
This comes as demos, vigils were slated for May 18 this year but shifted to next month as concern grouping including civil servants are to compete formalities.
In a leaked notice signed by Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba and National Coordinator Fryson Chodzi, demonstrations, vigils aim to force government intervention in the sale of the hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund, a transaction that has sparked public debate and growing concern among Malawians.
The organizers say the protests are intended to demand transparency, accountability and clarification surrounding the sale, which they describe as controversial and against the interests of ordinary civil servants whose pension contributions are tied to the fund.
In the notice addressed to Blantyre District Council, the group further called on government to consider taking over the administration of the hotel pending a full public explanation on how the transaction was conducted.
The demonstrations are expected to begin at Upper Stadium in Blantyre before protesters march through the Masauko Chipembere Highway and later gather at Amaryllis Hotel for vigils.
Organizers have assured authorities that the demonstrations will remain peaceful, lawful and unarmed, emphasizing that designated marshals will be deployed to maintain order and discipline during the protests.
“We wish to emphasize that the demonstrations shall be peaceful, unarmed and conducted within the confines of the laws of Malawi,” Mkwezalamba said.
The grouping has also requested cooperation from the Malawi Police Service and other relevant authorities to provide security, manage traffic and ensure public safety throughout the demonstrations and vigils.
The planned protests come amid increasing public scrutiny over how key public assets are being managed and disposed of in Malawi, especially institutions linked to pension funds and workers’ contributions.
The Blantyre District Council and relevant government authorities are yet to publicly respond to the notification.
This comes as Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) is unable complete Amaryllis Hotel purchase probe as key figures involved including former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba remains unreachable to finalise the probe.
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