Malawian police have arrested former finance minister and current Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Simplex Chithyola Banda, on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office, in the latest investigation targeting officials from the former Malawi Congress Party government. Chithyola handed himself in to police in Lilongwe after learning that investigators were looking for him, his lawyer, George Kadzipatike, confirmed. Police have not yet indicated when he will appear in court, and the former minister has not publicly commented on the allegations.
Chithyola served as finance minister between 2023 and 2025 under former President Lazarus Chakwera, whose administration was replaced after September elections dominated by public anger over the high cost of living. His arrest comes amid a widening legal review of decisions and transactions made under the previous administration. Several senior figures linked to the former ruling MCP have been detained, questioned or charged in recent months over alleged corruption, abuse of office and financial misconduct.
Those affected include former presidential and cabinet secretary Colleen Zamba, former agriculture minister Sam Kawale and former finance minister Sosten Gwengwe, who preceded Chithyola at the Treasury. Gwengwe, Zamba and Kawale were earlier granted bail after being charged in connection with alleged abuse of office and conspiracy to commit a crime. Local reports have linked some of the investigations to controversial fertiliser-related transactions, including the East Bridge fertiliser deal and other public procurement matters, although authorities have not released full details of the case against Chithyola.
Chithyola had recently drawn public attention over conspicuous displays of wealth during his unsuccessful campaign to become secretary-general of the MCP. His arrest is therefore likely to intensify political tensions between the new administration of President Peter Mutharika and the opposition. Government supporters say the investigations are necessary to account for alleged misuse of public resources, while critics are likely to view the wave of arrests as politically sensitive because of the number of former ruling-party figures involved.
For now, the case remains at the investigative stage. Police have confirmed the arrest, but prosecutors have yet to present detailed evidence in court. Chithyola is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
