The Malawi Communication Regulations Authority (Macra) has emerged as the Malawian ministry of information’s illegal benefactor: in 2015/16 it shelled out more than 66-million kwacha for accommodation and meals, hired cars and other costs incurred by ministers and officials, the Investigative Journalism Centre Malawi (CIJM) has established.

The Malawi government cash cow, the Malawi Communication Regulations Authority (Macra) is a Father Christmas on ‘call’ because it bails governments’ broke and ailing ministries on the blink of an eye.