Friday, May 20, 2022
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Front Page

Injunction stops Mapeto tax case

by JONATHAN PASUNGWI
21/09/2021
in Front Page, National News
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Proceedings in the K16.5 billion alleged tax evasion case against Mapeto David Whitehead and Sons (DWS) executives ground to a halt on Monday after the High Court ordered the presiding magistrate to stop hearing the case pending a review.

Full trial had just started with the State parading its first witness when the defence, led by lead counsel John-Gift Mwakhwawa, drew the attention of chief resident magistrate Jean Kayira to an injunction granted by High Court of Malawi Judge Vikochi Chima.

Mapeto executives and their lawyers at the court

Interjected Mwakhwawa: “Your worship, with us is an order from the High Court stopping the proceedings of the matter before us.”

Kayira went through the High Court order and immediately adjourned proceedings to a later date.

In its order, t h e High Court said the proceedings would resume after a review of the decision of the magistrate to dismiss the defence’s application for a 30-day adjournment.

The defence wanted a 30-day break to allow the new lawyers leading the team time to study the State’s disclosures.

Two weeks ago , Mwakhwawa replaced Jai Banda as a lead counsel for the defence; hence, asked for more time to go through all the documents which the State served them.

(L-R) MRA lawyers Beatrice Mwangwela, Daniel Daka and Msisha share notes

In another twist to the proceedings after Kayira’s dismissal of the application, Mwakhwawa said he wanted to discharge himself from representing the defence. However, after consultations, he said his clients insisted that he should continue representing them.

Earlier, another defence lawyer Fostino Mayere told the court that they made the application for adjournment not to delay the case, but to ensure that the accused persons had the right to fair trial and challenge the evidence.

He told the court that the documents, which the State served on the defence, were in excess of 2 000 pages; hence, requiring more time.

Mayere said: “My clients have already consulted tax experts to understand the disclosures, but the process is yet to be completed and there was a change of legal representation. So it’s our prayer, we need time at least a minimum of 30 days adjournment.”

Before the adjournment following the court injunction, first prosecution witness Deborah Hauya, an employee of Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), was giving her testimony.

Meanwhile, MRA has roped into its legal team veteran lawyer Modecai Msisha.

On May 23, MRA pounced on Mapeto DWS Limited and arrested five senior executives for multiple cases of alleged tax evasion which then was estimated at K10.8 billion before it was revised to about K16.4 billion.

Previous Post

Neef gives out K18.8bn in loans

Next Post

Rising food prices push up cost of living—report

Related Posts

Front Page

Nocma gets fuel supply assurance

May 19, 2022
National News

Macra moves to boost telecommunications sector

May 19, 2022
Ntupanyama: Fisheries sector 
is crippled by overfishing
Business News

Ministry hails K124m investment in clean agriculture

May 19, 2022
Next Post

Rising food prices push up cost of living—report

Opinions and Columns

Business Unpacked

Fixing economy needs action, not rhetoric

May 19, 2022
Candid Talk

Know your place in his/her life

May 15, 2022
People’s Tribunal

Why can’t we start with implementing the reforms?

May 15, 2022
Big Man Wamkulu

My wife is a WhatsApp addict

May 15, 2022

Trending Stories

  • CAF accepts FAM’s request on Flames fixture shift

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Onesimus leaves Major One Records

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MCTU pushes for 75% minimum wage hikeof

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Road traffic spot fines on way out

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mayors may face ballots

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Malawi-Music.com Top10

  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2022 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.