By Burnett Munthali
United Kingdom (UK)-based businessperson Zuneth Sattar, who is at the centre of a major corruption scandal involving senior Malawian government officials, has been granted bail by a magistrate’s court in Westminster.
The bail has been set at a staggering £2 million, equivalent to K4.8 billion at the current official exchange rate, underscoring the seriousness of the charges against him.
Sattar attended the court hearing virtually and, notably, did not take plea during the proceedings.
The court also formally charged Sattar with 18 counts relating to corrupt practices.
His company, Xavier Limited, was also jointly charged in connection with the same allegations.
The case has been scheduled for further hearing on June 26, 2025.
It is expected that on that date, the matter will be referred to the Crown Court—the UK’s criminal court responsible for hearing serious and indictable offences.
At the heart of the case are allegations that Sattar bribed high-ranking Malawian government officials to secure lucrative public contracts.
Among those Sattar is accused of corruptly influencing is the late former Vice-President Saulos Chilima.
Also named in the allegations is Prince Kapondamgaga, the State House chief of staff.
Former Solicitor General Reyneck Matemba and former Inspector General of Police George Kainja are also listed among the suspected beneficiaries of the bribes.
The accusations extend further to include John Suzi Banda, the former board chairperson of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA).
Other individuals implicated include Mwabi Kalua, the former director of legal services in the Malawi Police Service.
Several senior officials from the Malawi Defence Force are also reportedly involved, though their names have not yet been publicly disclosed.
It is expected that their identities will be revealed once formal proceedings commence in the UK court.
The case has captured both domestic and international attention, as it underscores the global dimensions of corruption and the growing role of transnational legal cooperation in holding powerful individuals accountable.
