Tag Archives: Finance Minister Mwanamveka

Human Rights

“Mwanamveka, Treasury must appear before PAC in Amaryllis Hotel probe”-Human Rights activist Chimwemwe Mhango

MaraviPost

….Asks why former SPC Zamba is abroad amid the inquiry

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-One of the country’s Human rights activists Chimwemwe Mbeya Mhango Ntchindi is calling upon Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) to invite Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka and Treasury to appear before the committee in the ongoing Amaryllis Hotel purchase probe.

Mhango observes that Mwanamveka and Secretary to the Treasury (ST) are reliable to answer some questions pertaining to payments made on the hotel purchase despite legal advise which Attorney General (AG) Frank Mbeta provided.

Mbeta told PAC on Wednesday that his office advised Public Pension Trust Fund to review all contentious issues before proceeding with the purchase “But instead Fund’s board proceeded with purchase and made payments”.

In his reaction, Human Rights activist Mhango observed that MK90 billion out of MK128 billion could not be released without full knowledge of Finance Minister and ST hence the need for them to appear before PAC.

“The position of AG Mbeta is clear that his role was to provide legal advice as mandated by the law.

“But why did the Fund’s board proceed with the purchase and made payment without firstly working on pressing issues in the sale including high prices?, queries Mhango.

The activist adds, “The payment could not be released or made without knowledgement of Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

“Both Minister of Finance Mwanamveka and ST must face PAC as to why they allowed such payments despite all indicators that Hotel purchase was not worth it”.

Mhango explains further, “Let’s deal with all key individuals, agencies that pushed the purchase of the hotel.

“One thing coming out very clearing is that there was heavy political interference in the purchase of the hotel which must be tamed in saving public service work”.

The activist however is not surprised with former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba’ name all over in the hotel purchase inquiry.

“Zamba was running the affairs of the state while making executive decisions with or without former President Lazarus Chakwera’s acknowledgement.

“This political interference in public service must be stopped. All arms of government must work independently for efficiency of public service”.

Mhango however questions the legality of allowing Zamba to enjoy foreign trips amid serious nations matter that require her presence.

“We know clearly that suspects have rights to travel with courts permission. But looking at the intensity of the matter at hard, was the court really need to allow her to travel while PAC need her for questioning?

“Our courts must serve the interests of the people not individuals who have money. Zamba must be in Malawi to answer many questions on how she used her office as SPC”.

PAC is yet to make communication on specific date when Zamba will appear before the Committee.

Business, Malawi

Expert sounds alarm on rising taxes: Revised Malawi’s 2025/26 Fiscal Plan

Chisomo Phiri

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Innovation and Digital Transformation expert Bright Chidzumeni has warned that recent tax and revenue measures announced by the Minister of Finance, Joseph Mwanamveka,are likely to reduce disposable incomes for Malawi’s working class.

In an interview with Maravi Post, Chidzumeni explained that salaries will now be taxed at higher rates, with workers earning between MK1.5 million and MK10 million expected to pay 35 percent in Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

He said additionally, fees for bank-to-bank transfers and mobile money transactions are set to increase, potentially slowing progress toward a cashless economy.

According to the expert,mobile money transfers of K100,000 or more will now attract an extra 0.05 percent charge, while all bank-to-bank transactions will incur the same additional cost.

Said Chidzumeni, “The Value Added Tax (VAT) has also been raised from 16.5 percent to 17.5 percent, meaning that most goods and services will become more expensive, except for those exempt from VAT.

“Small-scale investors are also affected, as investment income from stock market gains will now be taxed at 35 percent, reducing returns for those relying on limited income streams.”

He further estimated that individuals earning above K1.5 million could see around 40 percent of their income going to the state under the new measures, up from roughly 30 percent previously.

The expert noted that while the policies will boost government revenue, they will simultaneously reduce disposable income for ordinary citizens.

Reflecting on the broader economic context, Chidzumeni highlighted that taxation alone cannot resolve Malawi’s fiscal challenges.

“Despite higher taxes, the government’s expenditure often exceeds output.Production, not taxation, is the real solution to revenue and foreign exchange shortages,” he said.

He further suggested that Malawi’s welfare-oriented economy pressures authorities to find more sources of revenue, even as ordinary citizens face rising living costs.

Business, Malawi

Revised 2025/26 Malawi’s Fiscal Plan up to MK8.59tn with heavy taxes

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)—President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led- Government on Friday, November 21, 2025 revised the 2025-2026 national budget from unveiled MK8.077 trillion to MK8.59 trillion.

The GDP growth for 2025 has been revised downward to 2.7 percent, with projections showing a rebound to 3.9 percent in 2026.

Presenting the proposed budget before the August House on Friday, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha said the rise in expenditure reflects government’s commitment to stabilising the economy while prioritising key developmental and social sectors.

Mwanamvekha outlined several cost-cutting measures aimed at tightening public expenditure and improving efficiency across government institutions.

He announced that foreign missions will undergo restructuring, with each embassy expected to operate under stricter staffing limits to reduce administrative costs.

As part of broader austerity efforts, the minister also revealed that fuel allocations for Cabinet ministers will be reduced an initiative he said is intended to demonstrate the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline.

Additionally, Mwanamvekha warned that non-performing directors in the civil service will have their contracts terminated, stressing that public resources must be managed by competent and results-oriented leaders.

He told lawmakers that although the fiscal environment remains challenging, the proposed measures are designed to steer the economy toward stability while safeguarding essential public services.

He further said the country economic resilience has dropped because some donors have stopped funding their programs because the country has high debt repayment obligations.

In his remarks, Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola said that the tax increases introduced by the DPP administration will negatively impact poor Malawians.

He added that the delays in recruitment and promotions within the public service will further affect many citizens.

Chithyola also promised to provide a clear and formal response regarding the State House allocation and other related issues.

Business

Atupele lied on fertilizer prices; Is Finance Minister Mwanamveka lying too?

Maravi Post Reporter
Malawi finance minister Mwanamveka

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-After persistently indicating that it was impossible to slash the price of fertilizer to MK4,495 as promised by Dr Saulos Chilima through UTM and Tonse Alliance, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has lied, oops, promised that fertilizer will be at MK5,000.

However the announcement by Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha in parliament on Friday when he read the 2020/2021 financial plan contradicted what Peter Mutharika’s running mate Atupele Muluzi has been saying that the price will be MK2,500.

“You will be buying a 50 kg fertilizer bag at MK2,500 very soon and this will be in the budget,” Muluzi told a public rally in Salima.

But the sudden change is a clear signal that the slashing is just a political reaction to Tonse alliance and that the DPP doesn’t know the formula behind.

Just this week, Dr. Chilima challenged the government that if they can copy to reduce the price, the government must pay back people MK15,000 per each bag that they bought.

The DPP government and its new bed fellow UDF are notorius liars when it comes to campaign promises.