Malawian police have arrested former finance minister Simplex Chithyola on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office, marking a significant development in a widening crackdown on officials from the previous administration. Chithyola, who now serves as opposition leader in parliament, handed himself in to authorities on Sunday after learning he was being sought by investigators, according to his lawyer George Kadzipatike. He served as finance minister from 2023 to 2025 under former president Lazarus Chakwera. The arrest follows a series of investigations into alleged corruption and financial misconduct linked to figures from the former Malawi Congress Party government, which was voted out in September elections amid public frustration over rising living costs and economic challenges.
Chithyola had previously drawn scrutiny during his campaign for a senior party position, where critics pointed to his visible displays of wealth as raising questions about his finances. Authorities have detained or questioned at least eight former senior officials connected to the previous administration, including former presidential and cabinet secretary Colleen Zamba, as well as ex-ministers responsible for trade, local government, information, and agriculture. Former finance minister Sosten Gwengwe was also briefly detained before being released on bail. While police have yet to provide detailed evidence supporting the charges, the arrests signal a broader effort by the current government under President Peter Mutharika to investigate past financial decisions and hold former officials accountable. Chithyola has not publicly commented on the allegations, and authorities have not yet confirmed when he will appear in court.
