Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament yesterday claimed receiving threats over their public inquiry into the acquisition of Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund.
PAC chairperson Steven Malondera revealed news about the alleged threats when the committee yesterday convened to hear Attorney General Frank Mbeta’s submission as part of the committee’s probe into the controversial transaction.
Meanwhile, Mbeta did not turn up and Malondera said Parliament received communication at 8:45am indicating that he would not attend the session scheduled for 9:30am due to other urgent commitments.
“The Attorney General is not appearing today because, according to him, he has other extremely urgent commitments and is therefore unable to attend the meeting,” said Malondera.
He said the committee has since summoned Mbeta to appear before the inquiry at 5:30pm tomorrow.
On the threats, Malondera said he has reported to police seeking protection to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
He said: “I have laid down all the attempts that have been made to me and to members of this committee and asked the Inspector General of Police to help this committee reach the conclusion of this matter.
“The Inspector General [of Police] has assured me that action will be taken and has provided guidance.”
He said he has also informed the Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleman about the threats but declined to disclose their nature or source, saying the matter is now being handled by police.
Mulanje South East legislator Booker Matemvu (independent), a member of the committee, confirmed that some members of Parliament (MPs) have received calls from different individuals but said the committee would continue with its work.
National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo said the committee had not yet filed a formal complaint.
PAC is also scheduled to summon former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, former State House chief of staff Prince Kapondamgaga, officials from Yusuf Investments Limited—owners of the hotel, the Financial Intelligence Authority, Pension Fund acting principal officer, suspended principal officer George Jimu, the Registrar of Financial Institutions and an Anti-Corruption Bureau investigations officer who was suspended.
The transaction has drawn scrutiny after it emerged that the pension fund and Yusuf Investments had earlier negotiated a price of K48.7 billion in 2024 before the fund withdrew from the deal.
