Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has ordered EMJ Advisory Public Accountants to submit by Thursday, 12 March 2025 at midday contract agreements, emails and disclose who authorised them to commence consultancy work in the valuation of Amaryllis Hotel without a finalised contract agreement.
The firm took part in providing auditing, accounting and business advisory services over the purchase of the hotel, located in Blantyre.
Chairperson of the committee, Steven Baba Malondera, issued the order in Lilongwe when officials from EMJ Advisory Public Accountants appeared before the committee regarding the process surrounding the purchase of the hotel.
Appearing before the committee, Director of EMJ Public Accountants Emmanuel Chisale said the firm was engaged in November 2025 by trustees of the Public Service Pension Trust Fund (PSPTF) to provide professional advisory services, but not to participate in negotiations for the hotel purchase.
When asked by the committee whether they are registered property valuers, Chisale said they are not qualified to conduct property valuations but argued that they were capable of undertaking the assignment based on their experience and professional qualifications.
Chisale said the firm was paid K26 million for the work. He also told the committee that the payment was made after the contract was signed, despite the firm starting the work before the contract agreement had been fully drafted. He said all they did was to offer advisory services.
The meeting followed a public inquiry launched to investigate the hotel’s purchasing process, which attracted public outcry for further inquiry.
By Lonjezo Msodoka and Madalitso Mhango
