The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has interdicted senior investigations officer Robert Mkandawire for alleged misconduct linked to the failed arrest of former minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda last week.
In an interdiction letter dated May 12 and signed by acting director general Gabriel Chembezi, Mkandawire is accused of failing to execute an arrest warrant issued against Chithyola Banda despite allegedly locating him at his residence on the night of May 8.
evade arrest. | Nation
The letter, which The Nation has seen, states that Mkandawire, as leader of the operation, allowed the suspect to evade arrest after contacting him. He is further accused of ignoring instructions to continue surveillance and tracking operations.
Chembezi further accused Mkandawire of failing to submit a written report on the operation and refusing to issue a public notice as directed.
“You allowed the suspect to evade arrest. Despite meeting the suspect at his premises and stating your identity and purpose, you failed to take him into custody,” reads part of the letter.
The letter also accuses Mkandawire of reluctance to execute the arrest warrant and describes his conduct as insubordinate and unprofessional.
In an interview yesterday, Mkandawire confirmed receiving the interdiction letter, but declined to comment in detail on the allegations.
But he maintained that the situation at Chithyola’s residence was hostile, making it difficult for the team to carry out the arrest.
“The team found several people at Chithyola’s house and they threatened officers because it was perceived as political persecution,” said Mkandawire.
He also said police officers only arrived at the scene around 9pm and argued that the safety of officers had to be prioritised.
Both Chembezi and ACB spokesperson Jacqueline Ngongonda could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The ACB obtained a warrant of arrest for Chithyola over corruption-related allegations linked to the Mega Farms.
He is accused of unlawfully authorising K29.4 billion in extra-budgetary funding to the Greenbelt Authority on or around July 15 2025 without legal justification.
However, the magistrate’s court on Monday set aside the arrest warrant and directed that the matter should proceed by summons.
The court also reinstated bail conditions granted to Chithyola in Criminal Case No. 323 of 2026, shielding him from detention as the case moves into a new legal phase.
