Malawian Police have arrested former Finance minister Simplex Chithyola on Sunday April 12, on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office.
Chithyola, now a leading opposition figure in Parliament, voluntarily handed himself over to authorities after learning he was being sought by investigators, according to his lawyer, George Kadzipatike, who confirmed the charges. Chithyola himself has not publicly commented on the allegations.
He served as finance minister from 2023 to 2025 under former President Lazarus Chakwera, whose administration was voted out in the September elections.
The arrest forms part of a broader wave of investigations targeting figures linked to the former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government over alleged corruption and financial misconduct during its tenure.
Chithyola had previously attracted public scrutiny over conspicuous displays of wealth during his unsuccessful bid for the MCP secretary-general position.
According to an AFP tally, at least eight former cabinet ministers and senior officials from the previous administration have been detained or questioned. These include former presidential and cabinet secretary Colleen Zamba, as well as former ministers responsible for trade, local government, information and agriculture. Former Finance minister Sosten Gwengwe was also briefly detained before being released on bail.
Authorities have yet to indicate when Chithyola will appear before court.