Former SPC Secretary Colleen Zamba Refuses PAC Appearance Again, Fueling Oversight Concerns

Former Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC), Colleen Zamba, has once again refused to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, intensifying scrutiny over what lawmakers and analysts describe as a troubling pattern of defiance toward parliamentary oversight.

Zamba’s latest refusal comes amid the PAC’s ongoing inquiry into the controversial purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF), a transaction in which she played a central role during her tenure as SPC. Her absence has raised sharp questions within parliamentary circles, with some members privately questioning whether she considers herself beyond the reach of legislative scrutiny.

Legal and Medical Justifications Cited

In a letter to the Clerk of Parliament, Zamba’s lawyer, George Kadzipatike, argued that she cannot testify before the committee because she is a party to a court case related to the same matter. The lawyer further stated that Zamba is currently receiving medical treatment outside the country and has been abroad since February 2026. Even if she were in Malawi, the letter asserts, she would still not appear before the committee, citing the sub judice rule to avoid prejudicing the ongoing criminal proceedings.

Ongoing Criminal Case and Prior Defiance

Zamba is facing criminal case No. 266 of 2026 on charges of abuse of office linked to the Amaryllis Hotel transaction. Her legal team maintains that appearing before PAC risks prejudicing the court process. What we have is not the first time she has taken such a stance. In 2022, during investigations into National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) fuel procurement, Zamba—then NOCMA Board Chairperson—refused to appear before PAC after then Acting CEO Hellen Buluma accused her of exerting pressure to award contracts under questionable circumstances. At the time, she relied on advice from the Attorney General to avoid appearing, a position publicly challenged by the Malawi Law Society.

Parliamentary Response and Next Steps

PAC Chairperson Steve Malondera confirmed that the committee will proceed with its hearings despite Zamba’s absence, signalling that patience within the oversight body is running out. The committee is expected to release its findings this week. Zamba’s continued absence, despite being a pivotal figure in the decision-making chain surrounding the PSPTF’s hotel purchase, is likely to intensify scrutiny over transparency and accountability in one of the government’s most contentious financial dealings.