By Mercy Matonga:
The corruption case involving United Kingdom (UK)- based Malawian-born businessman Zuneth Sattar is expected to resume at Southwark Crown Court in London from November 18 to 21, 2026.
UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) Communications Manager Natalie Stokes confirmed the dates to The Daily Times Tuesday.
The case was previously scheduled to resume this month but has now been adjourned to November.
The matter returns to court following a hearing in June 2025 before District Judge Tan Ikram, who adjourned it to September this year for trial.
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Sattar’s lawyer Simon Farrell KC previously told the court that his client suffered a traumatic brain injury in early 2023, leaving him in a diminished mental state.
However, Crown Prosecutor Edward Brown KC argued that Sattar was fit to stand trial, although proceedings would need to proceed slowly and under medical supervision.
Sattar was arrested in the UK in 2021 by the NCA in collaboration with Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) following investigations into allegations that he paid bribes to influence public procurement processes.
The allegations relate to millions of dollars in contracts awarded at allegedly inflated prices.
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ACB later faced challenges in pursuing the case in Malawi, as it relied heavily on evidence obtained in the UK which encountered legal obstacles.
However, ACB spokesperson Jacqueline Ngongonda said the bureau was not aware of the latest hearing dates and was no longer involved in the matter.
“The ACB has had no contact with NCA regarding this matter. It is therefore not playing any role. The matter is solely being handled by NCA in the UK, where ACB has no mandate,” Ngongonda said.
Sattar, 45, faces 18 charges under the UK Bribery Act and denies the allegations.
