The National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) has said that the trial of businessperson Zuneth Sattar by the United Kingdom authorities marks a historic step forward in the fight against grand corruption in Malawi-one of the most brazen and destructive networks of state capture in our nation’s post-independence history.
On Friday, Sattar appeared before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he was released on conditional bail ahead of a further hearing in the case at Southwark Crown Court, which is expected to take place on June 26.
He is facing 18 charges related to obtaining or retaining business or advantage in the conduct of business, bribed a foreign public official with the intention of influencing his capacity as a foreign public official.
Those named in the charges include Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commandant of the National Defence College, Brigadier General Dan Kuwali, former vice president, late Saulos Chilima, State House Chief of Staff Prince Kapondamgaga, former Malawi Police Service (MPS) Inspector General (IG) George Kainja and former Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Reyneck Matemba.
In a statement signed by NACA chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa, the organization said for too long, Sattar has symbolised the grotesque collusion between wealth, political power, and impunity.
“He allegedly exploited his access to senior public officials to siphon hundreds of millions of dollars from a struggling nation-money that should have built hospitals, stocked essential drugs, paid teachers and nurses, and strengthened our justice system. Instead, it lined the pockets of a corrupt elite and entrenched a culture of greed and impunity.
“We commend the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) for refusing to turn a blind eye to corruption exported beyond its borders, and for working with Malawi’s own Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to bring a long-awaited sense of justice. This indictment confirms what Malawians have known for years that Zuneth Sattar’s vast network of influence was not just a domestic aberration, but part of a transnational criminal enterprise.
“NACA salutes the tireless work of whistleblowers, joumalists, civil society actors, and especially former ACB Director General Martha Chizuma, who stood firm in the face of immense political pressure and intimidation. That she was arrested while the architect of this alleged corruption walked free is a damning indictment of the political will or lack there of that continues to shield high-profile culprits.
“We take this moment to reiterate our firm belief: no one is above the law. We urge the Government of Malawi to immediately reinvigorate its stalled investigations. protect anti-corruption champions, and cooperate fully with UK prosecutors.
“Justice for the Malawian people cannot be outsourced. The evidence unearthed by this case must now trigger bold prosecutions at home,” reads the statement in part
