Malawian police arrested former finance minister Simplex Chithyola on Sunday on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office, the latest in a series of moves targeting officials from the previous government. Chithyola, who served under ex-president Lazarus Chakwera (whose Malawi Congress Party lost power in September 2025 elections amid soaring living costs) and now leads the opposition in parliament, surrendered to investigators after learning he was being sought. At least eight former cabinet ministers or senior MCP-era figures have now been detained or questioned, signalling a broad effort by incoming President Peter Mutharika's administration to scrutinise financial conduct during its predecessor's term.