Former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba was arrested Tuesday at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe. According to a highly placed source inside the airport, Zamba was quietly intercepted shortly after arriving at the VIP Lounge, where she was expected to relax before boarding a flight out of the country. She was reportedly en route to Geneva, with a connection through South Africa, though the reason for her international trip remains a mystery.
The source, who spoke strictly on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Zamba was initially detained within the VIP Lounge before a team of officers from Area 30 Police Headquarters arrived to take custody of her.
“It’s true, she has been formally arrested. As we speak, the police are taking her to Lingadzi Police Station, where she is going to have her statement taken and be formally charged,” the insider confirmed.
Airport witnesses described a tense but controlled scene, with security officers quietly escorting the former top government official through a back exit to avoid public attention. Still, word of the arrest spread quickly among airport staff, sparking whispers and speculation about what led to the sudden police action.
Zamba, once one of the most powerful figures in Malawi’s civil service, has been the subject of intense public scrutiny in recent months. However, authorities have not yet revealed the charges she is expected to face.
Police at Lingadzi Station and Area 30 remained tight-lipped late Tuesday, providing no official comment on the arrest or on whether additional investigations are underway.
As questions swirl around Zamba’s attempted departure for Geneva and what exactly prompted the airport takedown, this developing story is set to send shockwaves through Malawi’s political circles.
