By Burnett Munthali
Malawi’s parliament was gripped by concern yesterday over the abduction of Crossroads Hotel management director Sameer Sacranie, with legislators demanding answers from the government as his disappearance stretches to 10 days.
The matter was first raised by Lilongwe legislator Khadija Juma Chunga of the Malawi Congress Party, who pressed the Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito to inform the house on efforts being made to locate Sacranie.
She said today being day number 10, Malawians are worried, and the Muslim community is concerned about his family’s well-being. “We need to know what is happening, and the ministry must make a statement so people know something is being done,” Chunga said.
First Deputy Speaker Victor Musowa, who presided over the sitting, ruled that while the issue was of national importance, Chunga had not followed proper parliamentary procedure by introducing it as a supplementary question on an unrelated matter.
Dedza Kasina member of Parliament Joshua Malango of the Malawi Congress Party said the public was demanding answers and urged the government to create room for the matter to be formally discussed. “The Minister of Homeland Security is here; the public is looking for answers as to what happened to our brother Sameer Sacranie of Crossroads,” Malango said.
Musowa cautioned members against duplicating the issues, saying Chunga retained the right to properly table the question before adjournment.
Later, Mukhito informed the house that police officers were working around the clock to secure a breakthrough, saying specialized investigative teams had been deployed and intelligence resources activated. However, he stressed the need for caution and confidentiality to avoid compromising the investigation or endangering the victim.
“Let us not politicize this issue, let us not turn it into a religious issue; crimes do not know tribe or religion, political party; this is a criminal matter,” Mukhito said.
He said the government would deploy every lawful resource available to ensure those responsible are identified, apprehended, and brought before the courts.
Malawi Congress Party Chief Whip Moses Kunkuyu welcomed the minister’s assurance, saying the country remained in shock over the abduction.
Lilongwe Mapuyu South MP Edward Chileka Banda urged the ministry to identify crime hotspots and strengthen security in vulnerable areas.
Sacranie was abducted on February 6, 2026, when unknown gunmen reportedly invaded Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe. Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities have appealed to members of the public to report any information to law enforcement authorities.
