Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has demanded the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate the alleged fuel-gate at Malawi Regulatory Authority (MERA).

It is alleged that MERA illegally purchased a fuel testing van.

The human rights coalition has said it got the allegations through its whistleblowing initiative of receiving information and relevant documents from the public indicating that MERA flouted producers in purchasing the van.

MERA then entered into a contract with City Motors for the supply of the said laboratory van in a contract valued at K704 million.

On 7 May, 2019, MERA made an advance payment of K563 million which represents 80% of the total amount.

According to the HRDC National Coordinator Luke Tembo, the procurement processes were allegedly flouted and the vehicle that came did not meet the specifications of what was initially ordered.