Fredokiss’ case starts today
Hearing of a case in which rapper Fredokiss and two others are accused of offering handouts to voters during the June 23 Fresh Presidential Elections at Mlowe in Rumphi starts today at the Magistrates Court in Mzuzu.
The case failed to commence on July 28 due to coronavirus measures put in place by the courts in Mzuzu.
The rapper, real name Fred Penjani Kalua and his colleagues were arrested in Rumphi on June 23 by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers and subsequently handed over to police. They were granted bail on June 24.
According to the charge sheet, they are accused of ‘using fraudulent means to coerce or induce another person to vote for or against a particular candidate or party, contrary to section 115 (c) (Viii) as read with section 118 (1) of the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Act.’
Lawyer for the accused, Leonard Mbulo, said the State is today expected to parade witnesses as the case commences.
He said: “The prosecution is expected to parade witnesseses to prove the allegations that the accused persons were distributing money so that voters should vote in favour of a candidate.”
Earlier, prosecutor Lloyd Banda, confirmed that they will parade eight witnesses when hearing commences.
The three pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared before the court on July 1 2020.
Fredokiss, 34, who is son to legislator for Rumphi East, Kamlepo Kalua, hails from Chisoti village, Traditional Authority Mwamlowe in Rumphi.
