Why is Amaryllis Hotel still open? — Activists

Pressure is mounting on authorities to shut down Amaryllis Hotel as civil society activists intensify demands for accountability in the controversial K128 billion purchase financed through public pension funds.

The Malawi-Led Black Economic and Empowerment Movement (Mablem) has announced plans for vigils and demonstrations at the hotel on May 18.

The grouping argues that operations should not continue while investigations into the transaction remain unresolved.

Mablem national coordinator Fryson Chodzi questioned why Yusuf Investments is still running the hotel when reports indicate that K90 billion linked to the deal has reportedly been frozen.

“In all fairness, there is no justifiable reason for Yusuf Investments to continue running the hotel,” said Chodzi.

“They do not hold reasonable shares in the facility considering that only K90 billion of the K128 billion was paid.”

The grouping says the planned demonstrations will push authorities to either recover the money invested through pension funds or transfer control of the hotel to government.

“Together with civil servants we are ready to hold vigils at Amaryllis Hotel under the theme: ‘Occupy Amaryllis, pay back the money or hand over the hotel to Government,’” Chodzi warned.

The controversy surrounding the hotel purchase remains under investigation by the Public Accounts Committee.

The committee is yet to conclude its inquiry into the deal.

Some key figures connected to the transaction, including former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, are still expected to appear before the committee.