Differences between Attorney General Frank Mbeta and Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) have escalated into a verbal war with each side maintaining its respective position over police investigations into alleged financial mismanagement. In his July 29 2026 response to the MEC complaint, Mbeta said the Public Audit Act does not prevent the police from investigating suspected criminal conduct before an audited institution has responded to audit findings. “There is no provision in the Public Audit Act which bars the Malawi Police Service from carrying out this mandate,” Mbeta wrote. “It is important to note that… the law uses the word ‘may’ which means that the same is discretionary on the Auditor General and not mandatory.” But MEC has maintained that its concern is not about shielding anyone from investigation, but following the audit process as prescribed under the Public Audit Act.