MACRA DG Daud Sulieman fired

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Board has dismissed its Director General, Daudi Suleiman, who is currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) over alleged misuse of the authority’s charge card, The Investigator can reveal.

Suleiman, one of only two chief executives, alongside Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) boss George Kasakula, who were suspended without being redeployed to any other institution, received his termination letter on Wednesday morning, according to highly placed sources. The dismissal letter was reportedly signed by MACRA Board Chair Chancy Gondwe earlier this week.

Sources familiar with the Board’s decision say the termination hinges on three major allegations: serious financial irregularities, abuse of the MACRA charge card, illegal recruitment of staff, and failure to execute his duties in relation to attacks on the now President that were aired by MBC.

 “The Board Chair signed the letters I think on Monday or Tuesday. Three issues are dominant, financial irregularities, abuse of charge card, illegal recruitment of staff and failure to execute his duties in relation to the attacks on the now President by MBC,” a source disclosed.

Suleiman is reportedly among several Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials likely to face the justice system over alleged misconduct in the discharge of public duties, as pressure mounts for accountability across public institutions.

MACRA has now emerged as a major focal point in widening corruption investigations, with over K15 billion reportedly misused through direct resource abuse and questionable procurement practices.

Investigators are examining accommodation  and alcoholic drinks bills exceeding K50 million allegedly incurred by Suleiman at President’s Hotel in Lilongwe, despite him receiving official allowances. MACRA charge cards were allegedly abused to the tune of K40 million by September 2025.

The ACB has confirmed it has received evidence, which is currently under investigation. Documentation reviewed shows expenditure on alcohol and high-end dining, including premium wines and Amarula, all charged to MACRA accounts.

The single largest financial concern centers on the controversial Mvera Tech City project. Approximately K8 billion has reportedly been spent, yet there is no tangible development on the ground beyond bare land. Although the land is government-owned, Suleiman allegedly signed land documents unilaterally, raising serious ownership and procedural concerns. Compensation claims linked to the project reportedly reached K3.5 billion, surpassing costs of major infrastructure projects, while an additional K4.5 billion was allegedly channeled into questionable consultancy contracts.

Two more high-value procurements, the Broadcasting Monitoring System and the Disinformation System, are also under scrutiny. The Disinformation System alone reportedly cost nearly K5 billion during a period of acute foreign exchange shortages. Despite the expenditure, the system remains unused amid questions over whether it falls within MACRA’s mandate. Insiders allege that although contracts were formally awarded to different companies, one single firm handled installations and supplies.

The developments come just two weeks after The Investigator reported stalled efforts in recovering public funds and restoring sanity in public service. Now, signs suggest enforcement momentum is building. Authorities indicate that arrests linked to cases valued at approximately K350 billion have begun.

Separately, the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) has frozen nearly K10 billion in bank accounts connected to the Chakwera Greenbelt “Cashgate,” a scandal estimated to involve over K100 billion. The Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Stewart Ligomeka, has also suspended top managers at the Greenbelt Authority following their arrest by Malawi Police.