Pundits  Urge PPDA to Blacklist Chaudhry Over Fraudulent Deals

Malawi Exclusive

Governance and human rights experts have demanded that the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) immediately blacklist controversial businessman Mahmood Azhar Chaudhry and his companies from transacting with government ministries, departments, and agencies, citing a catalogue of alleged fraudulent activities feared to have drained public resources and undermined accountability.

The call follows revelations that Chaudhry, through his proxy firm Kumakoka Trading Company Limited, pocketed over K523 million in upfront payments from the Ministry of Energy under the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) Phase 9 but failed to deliver the contracted cables.

Court documents further show that Kumakoka and two other firms collected over K1.4 billion in advance payments under the same project without supplying goods.

Mark Phangala, a himan rights activist, argues that PPDA must not only ban Chaudhry from public procurement but also compel him to refund the upfronts and ensure government withholds all pending payments due to his companies as “this is clear theft and fraud”.

Governance analyst Thomas Cham’dimba says PPDA must act decisively to protect taxpayers, arguing that allowing Chaudhry to continue doing business with government emboldens impunity and erodes trust in institutions.

Duocuments submitted by a whistleblower to Fiscal Police revealed that materials meant for MAREP were cleared under special reduced tariffs by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) but were diverted and sold on the private market.

Experts say this diversion constitutes economic sabotage and criminal fraud.

Chaudhry’s record of alleged misconduct extends beyond MAREP. He has been linked to fraudulent land transfers, including under-declaring a K750 million property at only K25.5 million to evade taxes, transferring it into his family trust. His wife, Neelam Azhar Mahmood, is also facing criminal matters for allegedly falsely declaring Malawian citizenship to acquire land, in violation of the amended Land Laws (2022).

Chaudhry has also been accused of masquerading as a diplomat, erecting a signpost at his Sunnyside residence declaring it the “Pakistan Consulate” and driving vehicles with diplomatic plates, despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming he was never accredited.

Economic experts warn that his admission in court of paying for a vehicle in London using British pounds exposed him for externalising forex, a violation of Malawi’s Exchange Control Act.

Meanwhile, Sentinel Exports, an Indian supplier, is suing him for US$1.6 million in unpaid dues for police uniforms and equipment, despite Chaudhry having been paid in full by the Malawi Police Service.

Human rights activist Kusaye Ngoleka said: “PPDA must blacklist him”. The analysts argue that the Chaudhry saga is now a litmus test of Malawi’s resolve to uphold the rule of law.

A political scientist Chonze Nkhalango cautioned: “The delay in prosecuting Chaudhry despite overwhelming evidence reflects dangerous impunity. This undermines authorities at the highest level and erodes public trust.”

The Attorney General’s Chambers has already commenced civil action to recover funds from Kumakoka Trading, but activists insist that civil suits are not enough. They demand criminal prosecution, revocation of citizenship, and deportation.

They further demand that investigations must go outside Malawi where Chaudhry is suspected to have built an empire from funds suspected to have been stolen from Malawi, for example a property he acquired in the United Kingdom on 97 Ledbury Road, Peterborough, PE3 9RA.

Economic analyst Moses Benderson summed it up: “This is not just about one man. It is about protecting Malawi’s economy, institutions, and sovereignty. If left unchecked, this impunity will continue, displacing accountability and weakening the state.”