Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera relieved his deputy Saulos Chilima of his duties after his name was among those of public officials involved in a fraud scandal involving a businessman flagged over graft-related allegations.

According to Chakwera, Chilima was mentioned in a report filed by the Malawian Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) after investigations that found that 53 current and former public officers received money from British-Malawian businessman Zuneth Sattar between March and October 2021.

Sattar has been on the Britain and Malawi governments' radar for his involvement in corruption, fraud and money-laundering.

Chilima has not been ousted from government entirely as the country's constitution stipulates that he cannot be removed as he is an elected official, leaving him to remain in the position on a ceremonial capacity, and cannot perform any official duties.

"The best I can do for now... is to withhold from his office any delegated duties while waiting for the bureau to substantiate its allegations against him," said Chakwera.

The vice president has not responded to his dismissal.

Chakwera who went on a purge of corrupt officials in the government, also sacked the country's police inspector general George Kainja who is also mentioned in the report by ACB, who was allegedly caught on tape with Sattar discussing deals and kickbacks.

The Malawian's president's chief of staff and the chairman of the country's procurement directorate, who are also mentioned in the ACB report were not left out as they were also suspended for their involvement with Sattar.

Among the deals the Sattar had agreed upon with the government officials include the illegal awarding of 16 contracts worth more than Kshs 17.6 billion ($150 million) by the police and military to the graft suspect's five companies between 2017 and 2021.

"Some public officers allegedly abused their offices either by intentionally flouting procurement procedures or by usurping procurement functions outside their mandate," he said.

Several serving and former ministers have already been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Sattar is also reported to have involved 31 individuals from the private sector, the media, civil society, and the legal fraternity who also are reported to have received money from him, Chakwera in his national address stated.