A purge: Malawi's former finance minister arrested on corruption charges

Police in Malawi have arrested the former finance minister on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of power on corruption charges.

Lawyer George Kadzepatik told AFP, regarding the charges against his client, that Simplex Chitiola, the current opposition leader in parliament, surrendered himself to the police after learning that investigators were looking for him.

Chitiola served as finance minister between 2023 and 2025 in the government of former President Lazarus Chakwera, which was replaced in the September elections.

Corruption and financial misconduct

Figures associated with the previous Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration have been subject to legal scrutiny in a series of investigations into allegations of corruption and financial misconduct during its time in power.

Chitiola attracted attention for his display of wealth during his unsuccessful campaign for the position of Secretary-General of the People's Congress Party.

According to AFP statistics, at least eight former government ministers or high-ranking figures from the party era have been detained or questioned by the authorities.

This includes former Presidential Minister and former Cabinet Minister Colleen Zamba, and former Ministers of Trade, Local Government, Information and Agriculture.

Sosteen Guengwe, who preceded Chitiola as finance minister, was also detained and then released on bail.

Police have not yet set a date for Chitiola's court appearance. The former minister has not made any public comment on the charges against him.