The Malawian government has dismissed claims that Vice President Jane Mayemu Ansah plans to spend public funds on a private trip to the United Kingdom, following widespread public outrage over allegations circulating on social media.
In a statement dated December 22, 2025, and released on Tuesday, the Office of the Vice President described documents alleging a $1.3 million budget for Ansah’s UK trip as “fake and misleading.” The documents, which began circulating online on Monday, claimed that the Vice President was travelling with a large, taxpayer-funded entourage to attend her husband’s lavish 80th birthday celebration.
The allegations sparked intense backlash across Malawi, with social media users and civil society groups questioning the use of public resources for what appeared to be a private family event. The outrage was further fuelled by the timing of the claims, as the government has been calling on citizens to endure economic austerity and spending cuts.
Reports suggested the trip would cost about K2.3 billion (approximately $1.3 million) and that Ansah was scheduled to be in Nottingham between December 26 and January 10. An official document dated December 11 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Malawi Mission in London also surfaced online, adding to public speculation. Local media outlet Nyasa Times cited sources describing the visit as private.
However, the Office of the Vice President firmly denied the claims. In the statement signed by Communications and Public Relations Officer Richard Mveriwa, the office said the documents did not originate from any government institution and did not represent approved government expenditure.
“The Office of the Vice President would like to inform the general public that the documents currently circulating on social media purporting to show the budget for Her Honour, Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah SC JA (Retired), the Vice President’s official trip to the United Kingdom are fake and misleading,” the statement said.
The office further stressed that no such budget had been authorised and urged the public to rely only on information released through official government communication channels. It warned that the spread of unverified information undermines public trust and accountability.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, the Office of the Vice President condemned what it described as the deliberate circulation of false information regarding the management of public resources.
