The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has cancelled the K5.4 billion security services contracts it intended to award three firms, including one owned by Minister of State Alfred Gangata after public uproar.
In an intention to award contracts dated December 26, 2025, MRA said it planned to contracts to Master Security Services, Kamu Guard Services and Iringa Security Services.
However, in a leaked letter to Master Security Services dated December 31, 2025, MRA Commissioner General Felix Tambulasi said acting through through its Internal Procurement and Disposal of Assets Committee (IPDC), has resolved to cancel the above-mentioned procurement process.
“Accordingly, the Authority will recommence the procurement process, and the tender will be re-advertised in due course. We regret any inconvenience this cancellation may cause and appreciate your continued interest in doing business with the Malawi Revenue Authority,” reads part of the letter
Earlier, the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) said MRA’s intention to award the contracts represented a serious affront to constitutionalism, public ethics and the rule of law.
HRDC chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the situation reinforced the deeply-entrenched culture of State capture and elite impunity that Malawians have consistently rejected.
Said Kaiyatsa: “It is a matter of public record that the same MRA previously arrested and prosecuted the owner of Masters Security Services [Gangata] for allegedly forging tax clearance certificates, an offence that strikes at the heart of tax administration and public finance integrity.
“For the very institution mandated to enforce tax compliance to now turn around and reward the same company with a lucrative public contract is morally indefensible and institutionally reckless, regardless of the status of the court case.”
He said HRDC further noted that one of the lawyers who represented Gangata in that tax forgery case is now the Commissioner General of MRA, Felix Tambulasi.
