Big Names, Big Money: Gwengwe, Kawale, Zamba in Over K200bn Fertiliser Contracts

Police have indicated that former Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe, former Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale and former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba have been arrested in connection with over K200 billion fertiliser contracts awarded to East Bridge

According to a statement issued by the Malawi Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo, the three former senior government officials are being investigated for offences of abuse of office, fraud other than false pretences, and money laundering.

“The Malawi Police Service (MPS), working jointly with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has arrested three former senior Government officials in connection with investigations into contracts awarded to East Bridge involving fertiliser, soya beans and tobacco,” reads the statement

Chimtembo said the three will appear in court soon.

The contracts were between East Bridge and the Government of Malawi, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM).