The recent High Court revelations concerning overpayment of MK6.6 billion (US$3.9 million) to SF International during the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration under the leadership of former President Arthur Peter Mutharika underscore a persistent and dangerous pattern of financial mismanagement and institutionalised corruption that has long plagued Malawi’s governance structures.
Malawi’s struggle with corruption and the reckless abuse of public funds is deeply rooted and systemic.
The infamous “Cashgate” scandal of 2013, which began under the Bingu wa Mutharika regime and only came to light during Joyce Banda’s presidency, exposed the theft of more than MK15 billion (approximately US$32 million) through fraudulent payments by government officials for services and goods that were never delivered.
This scandal shocked the nation, eroded public trust in government, and led to the suspension of crucial international aid. It also revealed the depth of rot in Malawi’s public financial systems and the lack of meaningful oversight mechanisms.
While Joyce Banda initiated efforts to expose and address these irregularities, the return of the DPP in 2014 after Bingu’s death only saw a continuation, rather than a resolve to deal with the looting.
Almost immediately after returning to power, the DPP regime was once again mired in controversies over questionable contracts and tendering processes. Numerous reports indicated that government contracts were awarded based on political allegiance rather than merit or service delivery, fostering an environment ripe for abuse, impunity, and plunder.
The most interesting of them all was when service providers, support staff, contractors as well as lecturers and professors were being paid under the non-existent and non-operational Mombera University in Mzimba.
The current SF International case before the High Court is a clear window into the entrenched culture of corruption that defined the DPP years. SF International’s own admission of receiving a whopping MK11.9 billion (US$7 million) in advance payments from the government before delivering any military equipment raises questions of oversight and exposes outright negligence and deliberate fraud.
Perhaps even more alarming is the company’s revelation that it was overpaid by nearly MK6.6 billion (US$3.9 million). This was not a minor bookkeeping error—this is public theft, plain and simple.
Experts and observers alike have pointed out that such a massive overpayment cannot happen by accident. It reflects a deliberate and coordinated attempt to siphon funds from the government into private hands, with willing collaborators embedded within the state apparatus.
Even more damning is the fact that SF International was in possession of confidential government documents, including sensitive legal opinions from the Attorney General’s office and internal correspondences. This indicates potential breaches of government security protocols and collusion, further revealing how deeply compromised the system was under the DPP.
Despite having been voted out of office in 2020, the DPP’s shadow looms large over Malawi’s institutions. The party and its affiliates continue to resist transparency and reform efforts being led by the current administration.
Rather than supporting anti-corruption reforms, elements within the party have launched public and legal battles that threaten to derail progress. This behaviour demonstrates that the DPP is not just reluctant to face its past; it is determined to protect the very systems that enabled its misrule.
In stark contrast, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda has emerged as a key figure in the fight against systemic corruption. Operating under the administration of President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Nyirenda has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to accountability and justice.
His office has already nullified dubious claims exceeding MK200 billion, among them a suspicious MK131 billion land compensation demand and a MK30 billion ambulance procurement deal that bore signs of irregularity and overpricing.
Nyirenda’s ability to challenge and dismantle such high-value fraudulent contracts has saved the Malawian taxpayer enormous sums and prevented further decay of public trust.
The revelations in the SF International case highlight the magnitude of the battle Malawi still faces in eradicating corruption. However, they also demonstrate the effectiveness of the efforts being undertaken by the current administration to clean up the system. The successes of the Attorney General show that recovery is possible when public officials act with integrity, courage, and a commitment to the common good.
Yet, the work is far from done. Systemic reforms must continue. It is imperative to build and maintain strong institutions that prioritise accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. Citizens must also play an active role by demanding ethical leadership, scrutinising government actions, and refusing to return to a status quo that enabled the wholesale looting of public funds.
As elections loom on the horizon, it is crucial for Malawians to remember the dark days of unbridled corruption and state capture.
The DPP’s record is not just one of failed policies, but of an intentional and calculated plunder of national resources. The SF International case is just one among many that show a disturbing pattern of systemic abuse. Allowing those responsible to return to power without accountability would be a betrayal of Malawi’s democratic progress and an invitation for history to repeat itself.
Let this moment be a rallying call to all Malawians: Never again should we allow the looters of our national resources to hide behind political slogans and empty promises. Never again should political affiliation override justice and integrity. And never again should public office be turned into a feeding trough for the corrupt.
Malawi stands at a crossroads. The path to accountability is difficult and requires sacrifice and vigilance. But the cost of allowing the past to return is far greater. With leaders like Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda leading the charge, and with an engaged and informed citizenry, Malawi can rebuild trust, recover stolen assets, and chart a new course of honest governance and national pride.
The choice is ours to make—and the time to act is now.
