Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima Arrested on Corruption Charges

Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima has been arrested on corruption charges related to British businessman Zuneth Sattar, according to a YouTube video posted on November 25, 2022. The arrest comes after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) alleged that Chilima accepted kickbacks in government contracts involving Sattar.

Following the allegations, President Lazarus Chakwera stripped Chilima of his delegated duties in 2022. Chakwera stated that the Constitution does not give the President powers to suspend or fire a sitting Vice President, leading him to relieve Chilima of official duties. Despite this, the President has maintained a cordial working relationship with Chilima, including him in Cabinet meetings.

Recently, President Chakwera fully reinstated Chilima's duties, directing him to represent Malawi in Tanzania. However, Chilima's court case in relation to the corruption allegations continues.

Why this matters: The arrest of Vice President Chilima highlights the ongoing corruption issues in Malawi. The government and institutions like the ACB have been accused of failing to effectively tackle corruption, prompting calls for stronger measures from international partners.

The High Court of Malawi Financial Crimes Division in Lilongwe dismissed as premature the defense's application for disclosures of 'sensitive documents' in Chilima's case. Judge Redson Kapindu ruled that the documents, including minutes of the Defense Council meeting and a memorandum from the Malawi Defense Force to the President regarding procurement of armored personnel carriers from a company linked to Sattar, were highly sensitive and not relevant at this stage of the trial. The case has been adjourned to May 3, 2024.

The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over Malawi's ineffective efforts to combat corruption. EU ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnerbach, highlighted the government's continued business with companies related to Zuneth Sattar, who is suspected of corruption by the British government, as one of the EU's concerns. The EU, a development partner in Malawi since 1976, emphasizes the importance of transparency and clear statements from the government on decision-making in the fight against corruption.

Key Takeaways

• Malawi VP Saulos Chilima arrested on corruption charges linked to British businessman Zuneth Sattar.
• President Chakwera stripped Chilima of duties, then reinstated him to represent Malawi in Tanzania.
• Court dismissed defense's request for sensitive documents, case adjourned to May 2024.
• EU concerned over Malawi's ineffective anti-corruption efforts, including continued business with Sattar-linked firms.
• Corruption issues in Malawi prompt calls for stronger measures from international partners.