Magalasi, police differ on charge status

Economist-cum-political consultant Collins Magalasi and the police have given conflicting statements on the charges after his arrest, with Magalasi stating that he was charged and police suggesting they are still investigating.

Police arrested Magalasi on Monday barely days after his return from abroad.

Magalasi: I have formally been charged. | Nation

In a telephone interview yesterday, National Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwawula said Magalasi was yet to be charged as police continued investigating the matter.

She declined to disclose where Magalasi was being held, saying doing so “would jeopardise police investigations”.

But during a visit to Lilongwe Police Station in Area 3, The Nation crew met Magalasi who said he was formally charged yesterday morning.

“I have been formally charged this morning. You can get details of the charges from the police themselves,” he said.

Magalasi said the charges related to the Amaryllis Hotel deal where the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s acquisition of the Blantyre-based hotel for K128 billion is under dispute.

He also said police informed him that he would be taken to court today.

According to Magalasi, Area 3 police was the third place where he was being held after Lumbadzi and Kanengo police stations.

At the time of The Nation’s visit, several sympathisers were seen at the station.

Magalasi is credited with drafting of the governing Democratic Progressive Party manifesto that took the party back into power through the September 16 2025 General Election after a five-year opposition stint.

He previously served as Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority chief executive officer, chief economic adviser and executive assistant to President Peter Mutharika.

Before joining public service, Magalasi was an economic governance expert and civil society leader and previously headed the Malawi Economic Justice Network. His last job was chief executive officer for Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority.