Governance expert Z Allan Ntata has raised serious concerns over the awarding of multi-billion-kwacha security contracts by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), warning that the deals expose deep weaknesses in public accountability.
The contracts were awarded to Masters Security and Iringa Security, companies that are allegedly linked to a Minister of State and a Deputy Minister of Home Affairs respectively.
Ntata said the situation reflects open conflict of interest rather than hidden corruption.
“Sometimes corruption does not hide,” Ntata said. “It wears a suit, signs papers, and calls itself procurement.”
He questioned how a state institution could lawfully award contracts to companies linked to senior government officials without triggering concern.
“This is not innovation. It is self-dealing,” Ntata said. “When those who make state decisions also benefit from state contracts, the public interest becomes secondary.”
Ntata warned that such practices undermine fair competition and weaken oversight in government systems.
“In any serious governance system, this would raise immediate red flags — abuse of office, distorted competition, and compromised oversight,” he said.
According to Ntata, the problem is structural, not accidental.
“This happens because the system allows politicians to sit in Cabinet by day and compete for public money by night,” he said.
He urged Malawians to reflect on the purpose of public office.
“Malawi must decide whether public office is a responsibility or a business license,” Ntata said.
Ntata added that ordinary citizens ultimately bear the cost.
“The citizen is the only stakeholder who consistently pays, but never wins,” he said.
The Malawi Revenue Authority has not yet commented on the ownership allegations, and the officials allegedly linked to the companies had not responded by the time of publication
