Malawi rejects claims Zunaid Moti was given diplomatic post or special treatment

Malawi’s government has denied reports that South African businessman Zunaid Moti was secretly appointed to a diplomatic position or granted preferential treatment, calling the claims “false and malicious.”

Government statement rejects allegations

In a statement issued on July 14, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi said the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) had “noted with grave concern a series of false and misleading social media posts” asserting that “Mr Zunaid Moti has been appointed to a diplomatic position by the Government of Malawi and has also been accorded preferential treatment, including the award of Government contracts.”

Where the claims originated

Saidi’s statement followed reports by Nyasa Times that suggested Moti had been appointed Malawi’s ambassador-at-large for a five-year term and that the appointment was not publicly announced by State House. Nyasa Times also reported allegations tying Moti to donations to First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s charity, Beautify Malawi (BEAM), and to mining licences.

OPC response on mining licences and audits

Addressing the mining licence claims, Saidi said a moratorium on issuance of mineral licences was in place since the DPP government took office to “clear out the cadastre system which was congested with both active and non-active licence holders.” He added that a compliance audit was needed and stated that “Nobody has been issued with a new licence as portrayed by the false story and no new licences can be seen in the system.”

Denial of appointment and preferential treatment

Saidi explicitly denied that Moti had been given any government role, saying:

“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Moti has not been appointed to any government position, diplomatic or otherwise.”

He further stated:

“Neither has the government awarded him any form of preferential treatment. Any suggestion to the contrary is wholly fabricated and without any factual basis.”

Warning against false information

The OPC warned that spreading false information is a criminal offence under Malawian law and urged citizens to verify information before sharing. Saidi said the allegation campaign was intended to “tarnish the image of the Government, and undermine confidence in the administration of His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, particularly its unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency and the fight against corruption.”

Government priorities

Saidi said the government remained focused on “rebuilding the economy, restoring public confidence and implementing transformative reforms” and that there was “absolutely no room for deliberate misinformation, political mudslinging or character assassination.”

Reported details in original coverage

The Nyasa Times report referenced by the OPC alleged additional details about the purported appointment, including broad responsibilities for Moti and links to donations to BEAM, claims that prompted calls from the governance watchdog CDEDI for a forensic probe into the charity. The OPC statement categorically refuted the core allegations about appointment, preferential treatment and newly issued mining licences.