EXCLUSIVE: Ads without payment, hotel bills — why police arrested ex-MBC boss Kasakula

The Malawi Police Service has explained the charges facing former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General George Damasekeni Kasakula and former Director of Finance Jack Kamwachale following an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the public broadcaster.

According to National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo, the two suspects are being investigated over alleged financial mismanagement believed to have occurred between July 2021 and December 2025.

Chimtembo said preliminary investigations indicate that the two allegedly mismanaged MBC accounts, including authorising the airing of advertisements without payment.

“The suspects are alleged to have been involved in financial mismanagement of the corporation’s accounts, including unauthorised airing of advertisements without payment. It is further alleged that attempts were made to delete or manipulate records to conceal the activities,” said Chimtembo.

Police say the probe has also uncovered systemic weaknesses in internal controls at the broadcaster, which may have facilitated the alleged irregularities.

In a related development, the suspects are also accused of approving an unauthorised payment to a hotel in Lilongwe, where the former Director General and his family allegedly stayed in a presidential suite, contrary to his official entitlement.

“Relatedly, the suspects are accused of approving an unauthorised payment to a hotel in Lilongwe where the former Director General and his family were accommodated in a presidential suite outside his official entitlement,” Chimtembo explained.

Authorities are further investigating the procurement of an outside broadcasting vehicle from Italy which has not yet arrived in the country, raising additional concerns around the procurement process.

Chimtembo said police are currently recording caution statements, after which the matter will be taken to court.

“Caution statements are currently being recorded and once this process is completed, the suspects will be taken to court, possibly this afternoon or tomorrow morning,” she said.

Kasakula, 54, comes from Kasakula Village, Traditional Authority Kawamba in Kasungu District, while Kamwachale, also 54, hails from Nyambo Village, Traditional Authority Phambala in Ntcheu District.