In a significant development in Malawi’s ongoing fight against corruption, a UK-based businessman linked to one of the country’s most notorious corruption scandals, Zuneth Sattar, was scheduled to appear before a UK court yesterday to face 18 charges under the UK Bribery Act.
This is the first time for Sattar to be tried in a criminal court for allegations that he bribed senior Malawian government officials to secure lucrative contracts between the year 2020 and 2021, including military supplies and immigration equipment.
Sattar was arrested in the UK in 2021 by the National Crimes Agency (NCA) in collaboration with Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The arrest followed investigations into allegations that he paid bribes to influence public procurement processes, leading to millions of dollars in contracts awarded at allegedly inflated prices. The 18 charges specifically target his efforts to obtain or retain business advantages through systematic bribery involving top Malawian officials.
Among those implicated are the late vice-president Saulos Klaus Chilima, the former Inspector General of Police George Kainja, the former Solicitor General Reyneck Matemba, and others, including a serving senior military officer, Brigadier Dan Kuwali.
The case underscores a broader struggle within Malawi to combat corruption that has long plagued its governance and development. Many of the officials named have previously faced charges related to Sattar’s dealings, but Sattar himself had evaded extradition and trial in Malawi, prompting a shift to the UK jurisdiction. Authorities now aim to seize property from Sattar, if he is convicted.
This case is viewed as a watershed moment for Malawi’s anti-corruption efforts. Investigations revealed that Sattar’s companies, notably Xavier Limited, secured contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, often at prices substantially above market rates.
Malawian authorities, including the ACB, led by its former director general Martha Chizuma, had previously pursued investigations into Sattar’s activities, which implicated many high-ranking officials. The investigation was seen as potentially transformative for the country’s anti-corruption landscape. However, resistance and political interference, including the arrest of Chizuma on dubious charges, hampered progress. Despite setbacks, the investigation uncovered a pattern of systemic corruption involving public procurement, military supplies and government contracts.
International cooperation played a key role, with the UK and Malawi working closely to investigate Sattar’s dealings. The scandal’s exposure has raised urgent questions about the integrity of Malawi’s governance, transparency and the influence of foreign and domestic actors in public resource management.
ACB acting director general Hillary Gerald Chilomba, initially responded promptly yesterday when contacted regarding his organisation’s stance on the several high-profile individuals named in the recent Sattar charge sheet released by the UK’s NCA about whether the bureau is collaborating with the NCA on the case.
Chilomba indicated he would return the call with his organisation’s official position. But after the initial response, subsequent efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful as his phone was out of reach.
Weekend Nation asked Chilomba about the bureau’s stance on Kuwali, whose name appears in the charge sheet and State Residences Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga, who is also mentioned multiple times, yet ACB discontinued his case on the same.
Sattar has been denying any wrongdoing, but his court appearance signals a new phase in the legal battle. The case has significant implications for Malawi’s efforts to address corruption and restore public trust.
It also highlights the importance of international collaboration in tackling transnational financial crimes and underscores the need for strong institutional reforms to prevent future corruption. As Sattar’s trial started at Westminster Magistrate Court in London, many in Malawi hope it will mark a turning point in holding powerful officials accountable and strengthening the country’s fight against corruption.
