A confidential document dated 12 July 2025 has exposed what happened behind the backs of Malawians, revealing the terms of a proposed appointment that was to come into effect once Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika won the elections and was sworn in as President.
The agreement raises serious political questions about the relationship between then Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and South African businessman Zunaid Moti, allegedly at the expense of Malawi and its national resources.
As Malawians were focused on campaigning ahead of the September 16 elections and hoping for a change in leadership to solve the country’s problems, discussions were taking place behind closed doors regarding Moti’s future role should Mutharika return to power.
The letter, titled “Appointment as Ambassador at Large for the Republic of Malawi,” states that Moti’s appointment would automatically take effect from the date of Professor Mutharika’s swearing-in following the next general elections which were slated for 16 September 2025 and would remain valid for five years, subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance and the prevailing political and diplomatic circumstances.
After the September 16, 2025 elections, Moti became Malawi’s Ambassador at Large automatically the moment President Mutharika took oath of office and was sworn in .
The question is: who has benefited from this arrangement?
President Mutharika has reportedly flown to South Africa twice on Moti’s private jet, while his wife , First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s BEAM Trust received a MK4 billion donation from Zunaid Moti.
According to the agreement, Moti and his associated companies would be expected to help mobilize investment and resources across several strategic sectors of Malawi’s economy, including road infrastructure development, mining and petroleum exploration, tourism promotion, healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical supply chains, the construction of clinics and hospitals, schools, universities and technical colleges, as well as building international partnerships and representing Malawi internationally.
In short, the agreement envisages Moti playing a central role in attracting investment into many of Malawi’s key sectors. A complete state capture.
This arrangement was intended to ensure that Moti would eventually recover the millions of dollars he invested in the Democratic Progressive Party’s election campaign at the expense of Malawians minerals resources and tax payers money .
The secretive agreement also places several obligations on Moti once the appointment took effect.
He is required to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and patriotism while avoiding any activity that could create a conflict of interest or damage either his own reputation or that of the Republic of Malawi.
Moti is also entrusted with representing Malawi’s interests both locally and internationally.
On confidentiality obligations, the agreement requires Moti to maintain strict confidentiality over sensitive information obtained during his tenure.
He is also required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations of Malawi.
The agreement further states that the appointment does not create an employment relationship or confer any legal rights beyond those expressly stated in the document.
Just as the agreement is binding in writing, it also states that the appointment may only be terminated through a mutual written agreement between the parties—Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Zunaid Moti.
Regarding renewal, the agreement provides that the appointment would run for five years from the date President Mutharika was sworn into office and could only be renewed based on satisfactory performance and the prevailing political and diplomatic environment.
The document also contains several legal limitations.
It states that the appointment would not constitute formal employment under Malawian labour law and that the Government of Malawi would not be liable for any personal liabilities or legal obligations arising from Moti’s activities.
In addition, despite the title of Ambassador at Large, the agreement expressly states that no diplomatic immunity or diplomatic privileges would automatically apply. Such privileges would only be granted if Moti were separately accredited through the appropriate diplomatic process.
The final page of the document contains an acceptance section, which was signed by Moti and returned to Professor Mutharika, acknowledging that he understood and accepted the appointment, together with its responsibilities and limitations.
The letter bears the name of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika in his capacity as President of the Democratic Progressive Party at the time it was signed, while the acknowledgment section is signed by Z. Moti.
The Malawi Government, through Chief Secretary Justin Saidi, has previously refuted reports that Moti was appointed Ambassador at Large.
However, this agreement is confidential and known only to President Mutharika and Moti. It was never disclosed publicly or circulated within government as it’s a mafias agreement .
This is not the first time the Government has dismissed publications by this news outlet as false.
When this publication previously revealed a list of diplomatic appointments, the Government publicly denied the reports.
Subsequent events, however, became the subject of further public discussion after all of the reported appointments were communicated officially and underwent orientation .
Cables stand by its publications that Zunaid Moti is the Malawi Ambassador at Large and any attempts to disregard that is only to try to save the face of the Malawi President following this exposure of a hidden agreements which puts Malawi at stake and questions the integrity of the Malawi President.
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