The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is set to discontinue a case involving Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regional governor for the southern region Charles Mchacha.
Mchacha, along with two others, was arrested in 2021 on allegations of abuse of office and other charges.
According to ACB’s court dates updates release which we have seen, the Chief Resident Magistrate court sitting at Lilongwe is expected to hear an application to discharge the case on March 25 2026.
Mchacha, who served as a minister and a regional governor for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was charged with offenses including abuse of public office, theft, and money laundering.
The charges were linked to allegations that public funds (K539,000) were used to pay for a honeymoon at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A separate arrest in late 2020 saw Mchacha released on bail by the Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Court regarding allegations of inducing a public officer to perform functions corruptly.
Recently, he was accused of allegedly storming ACB offices in Blantyre and intimidating anti-corruption officers.
Following the incident, the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) condemned the incident as a threat to democratic institutions and the rule of law.
CSEIF Executive Director Benedicto Kondowe said the incident caused panic and disruption among ACB staff and warned that intimidation against public bodies undermines trust in governance and threatens the independence of anti-corruption efforts.
“Acts of intimidation against public bodies sow fear, erode trust in governance, and tarnish the credibility of the leadership that has been entrusted with an overwhelming mandate. Such conduct is unacceptable, alarming, and poses a direct threat to the independence and integrity of institutions mandated to fight corruption.
“Officers of the ACB and indeed all governance and accountability institutions must be allowed to discharge their duties free from harassment, intimidation, or political interference,” the statement reads in part.
