Malawi: Minister Demands Answers After MP's '£24bn Repatriation Bill' Claim Blows Up in Parliament

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Nyasa Times report dated 28 July 2026, says a dispute broke out in Malawi’s Parliament after Leader of the House Jappie Mhango challenged a claim that K24 billion had been spent repatriating Malawians from South Africa. According to the report, the figure was allegedly stated at a public rally by the chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, rather than during formal proceedings.

Mhango told MPs he had heard the assertion in an audio clip that was circulating publicly and then sought clarification from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs. He said DoDMA’s controlling officer informed him that spending on the repatriation effort stood at K9 billion so far, leaving a K15 billion difference between that amount and the figure attributed to the PAC chairperson.

The minister called for the PAC chairperson to explain the basis of the K24 billion claim so Parliament could compare it with the department’s stated expenditure. The article did not name the PAC chairperson, provide the audio, or include a response from the MP accused of making the claim.

The issue matters because PAC is responsible for scrutinizing public spending, and repatriation costs involve taxpayer funds and disaster-management administration. Based on the reported exchange, the immediate question before Parliament is whether the higher figure was supported by evidence, reflected another calculation, or was inaccurate. Further confirmation would require official records from DoDMA and any explanation from the MP concerned.