Tumult and fractures continues in Malta’s Freemasonry after Simon Cusens is replaced

The Freemason Grand Master of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta (SGLM), Simon Cusens, has been replaced by Conrad Vella (featured image) following his departure last year. Conrad Vella worked as an accountant filing VAT returns to private companies and worked on a private basis.

Simon Cusens left his post after being publicly scrutinised for his involvement in the Vitals deal – he had he sold his medical-import-devices company to the Vitals shareholders via an insider trading deal involving other Freemasons including Ivan Vassallo. The sale was recorded in the Magisterial Inquiry and Ivan Vassallo has been charged in Court along with the other defendants of the case, but Simon Cusens was never charged.

Following our reports about his involvement in the deal, Simon Cusens opened a libel case against us, although he seems to be losing interest in the case after he tried to defend himself by questioning “claims” that he ever was the owner of Technoline. I don’t understand where his bizarre defence is going, but I have also been informed that his legal costs are also being funded by SGLOM.

Simon Cusens departed his role as Grand Master last year amid other controversies relating to Freemasonry, but he claims that his departure is not related to the controversies in the media about him.

Simon Cusens left a freemasonry group traditionally used by government officials and employees along with businessmen, that has dwindled in membership along the years and became increasingly fraught with internal and external conflicts with other freemasonry groups. Simon Cusens tried to offset these problems by trying to bring in a swathe of foreign members and making connections with other foreign groups. Allegedly he is now also trying to form new groups with foreigners.

Freemasonry has now been reduced to a couple of corrupt government officials and a bunch of old men fighting between each other for titles, status, personal issues and old rivalries and also the properties they use. The SGLOM also has ongoing issues over recognition by the British lodges it is supposedly affiliated with.

Along with SGLOM there is also the Scottish Lodge, Lodge St Andrew which is supposedly affiliated under Scotland. The Grand Master of this lodge seems to be a wine merchant called Walter Oouisthuizen, who is originally from South Africa. Apparently there is an issue because Walter Oouisthuizen is also a member of SGLOM and other lodges including the United Grand Lodge of England. Some lodges are protesting about the conflicts and his multiple memberships. Walter Oouisthuizen also seems to have a dispute with another SGLOM member who is Kevin Sammut – brother of Joseph Sammut (Ambassador to Tunisia and previous Labour MP). The dispute seems to be about some land rights in Żurrieq. Joseph Sammut is also a freemason but with the Feniċi Lodge.

Gradually, freemasons are being reduced to becoming to a small circle-jerk of individuals each holding titles and memberships of ornamental-like clubs. The potential to meet with government officials and obtain a favour from them is still there though.

Mark Camilleri

Website Editor
Historian and Publisher