The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has dismissed as false allegations circulating on social media that South African businessman Zunaid Moti has been appointed to a diplomatic position by the Government of Malawi and granted preferential treatment in government contracts.
In a statement released on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, Chief Secretary to the Government, Dr. Justin Adack K. Saidi, described the claims as malicious and intended to mislead the public while damaging the government’s reputation.
“The OPC categorically refutes these allegations. They are entirely false, malicious and deliberately designed to mislead the public, tarnish the image of the Government, and undermine confidence in the administration of His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika,” Saidi said.
The OPC also clarified that no new mineral licences have been issued since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) assumed office.
Saidi said the government imposed a moratorium on issuing mineral licences to allow for a compliance audit of the cadastral system, which had become congested with both active and inactive licence holders.
“The public may wish to know that since the DPP Government took over, a moratorium on the issuance of mineral licences was imposed.
The sole purpose was to clear out the cadastral system, which was congested with both active and non-active licence holders. Nobody has been issued with a new licence as portrayed by the false story,” he said.
The OPC further stressed that Moti has not been appointed to any government or diplomatic position and has not received any preferential treatment from the government.
It also warned that the deliberate publication or circulation of false information intended to deceive the public or damage reputations is a serious offence under Malawi’s laws. The public was urged to verify information before sharing it and to use digital platforms responsibly.
Saidi said the government remains committed to rebuilding the economy, restoring public confidence and implementing transformative reforms.
“The Government remains firmly focused on rebuilding the economy, restoring public confidence and implementing transformative reforms.
There is absolutely no room for deliberate misinformation, political mudslinging or character assassination,” he said.
