ACB Suspends Senior Investigator Over Failed Arrest of Simplex Chithyola Banda
Published on May 12, 2026 at 8:24 PM by Evance Kapito
The Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Gabriel Chembezi, has suspended senior investigations officer Robert Mkandawire over allegations of misconduct linked to the failed arrest of former Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda.
According to a suspension letter seen by this publication, Chembezi accused Mkandawire of abandoning his duties on the night of May 8, 2026, while leading a team assigned to arrest Chithyola Banda, who is also Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
The ACB alleges that Mkandawire allowed the suspect to evade arrest despite reportedly meeting him at his residence and failing to detain him or hand him over to police that night.
Chembezi further accused the officer of disregarding a court warrant authorising Chithyola Banda’s arrest and failing to follow instructions to conduct a search operation using the court order to locate the suspect.
The letter also states that Mkandawire allegedly failed to submit a report and did not issue a public statement after being instructed to do so, actions the bureau describes as serious misconduct and a violation of professional duties.
Source; Gerald Chavez Kampanikiza
