Malawi’s Vice President arrested, charged with corruption

The Malawi government announced on Saturday that the country’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima has been arrested and formally accused of corruption after a months-long investigation.

“On 25th November, 2022, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima… on allegation that between March 2021 and October 2021, he received advantage in form of money amounting to USD 280,000 and other items from Zuneth Sattar as a reward…” the announcement reads.

Chilima was stripped of his duties in June by President Lazarus Chakwera, but according to Malawi law Chilima could not be ousted as Vice President until after an investigation.

According to Malawi media, Chilima has been released on bail. He told reporters outside the jail, “I have no comment to make. We will let the court process run its course.”

He is accused of using his influence to funnel government contracts to two companies, Xaviar Limited and Malachitte FZE, for a profit. Both companies are tied to British businessman Zuneth Sattar, who has also been under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for several months.

The ACB said it arrested Chilima “on allegation that between March 2021 and October 2021, he received advantage in form of money” amounting to $280,000 and other items “from Zuneth Sattar as a reward.”