Kasambara arrested, faces money laundering charges
It never rains but pours for former Justice minister Raphael Kasambara who was on Monday rearrested on money laundering charges.
Kasambara, who is currently on bail on alleged attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo, was arrested at his Area 10 residence in Lilongwe.
The police also confiscated Kasambara’s Mercedes Benz, registration NB4375, which police say was the vehicle used in the shooting of Mphwiyo.
Dressed in blue denim jeans, checked shirt and a dark blue jacket with sandals, the former minister looked relaxed and laughed off the charge, saying: “It’s a joke of a charge.”
According to Kasambara, the police, whose first attempt to arrest him failed due to an error on the warrant of arrest, arrived at his home at 5.30am on two vehicles, a white Land Cruiser, which towed the Mercedes Benz to Area 30, and a beige Toyota Corolla.
“Well it was just a small technical error, and then they corrected it,” he said.
Kasambara was taken to police headquarters in Area 30, before being transferred to Lilongwe Police Station in Area 3.
According the warrant of arrest, Kasambara is being charged with money laundering contrary to Section 35 of the Money Laundering Act.
The warrant reads that on July 26 last year, a cheque (number 000304) amounting to K55 000 000 from International Procurement System (IPS) was deposited into account number 021000009811 of Ralph and Arnolds; NedBank City Centre Lilongwe suspected to be stolen money.
In an interview at his Area 10 residence, Kasambara said the transaction was done when he was a Cabinet minister and was no longer associated with the law firm in question.
“The police should have done their research better before coming and arresting me. The transaction which they are arresting me for was done during the time I was minister and I declared that I was no longer involved in running the associates account, so how I can be held liable to a client’s accounts, that’s for the administration,” he said.
The cheque is said to have belonged to Pika Manondo, who wanted to buy a house and had contacted Ralph and Arnolds to assist him.
Malawi Police Service (MPS) spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo could not say if Kasambara will be released after questioning.
“He is still in our custody, yes, but I don’t know if he will sleep in our custody or he will be released,” she said.
This is the second arrest for Kasambara, who is expected to appear in court to answer charges of suspected murder of Mphwiyo next month.
In the morning, police also seized a camera belonging to Nation Publications Limited (NPL) photojournalist Thoko Chikondi in full view of the press, but it was later given back.
let him speak out -concerning cash gate
He 2 has a ryt 2 spk out wht he has dip.ndiye akaulula osamublamer.
My life ,is very nice and iwant you to be like me
Does it take take super brain to realize the value of time, it is very disturbing to see the amount of time spent on matters that could hardly benefit the country, if Malawian leaders really do care about the country’s well being, why don’t they quit all these personal acuzations and squabbles and shift their mind on how they can constructively change the country they claim to love so much, I pitty these young men and women who are flocking to South Africa in search of greener pastures, only for woist. It is high time that our leaders amend their attitude and adopt a positive mindset in order to find constructive means that could bring a better change to our country, stop pointing fingers and be hands on, on what you are mandated to do for the people who voted you into those position.
You have spoken – I for one represent many of the Diasporas in RSA and when we see and read what is happening @ home I get sick and sometimes ask myself; is it because we are un-educated? Ok may be its just stupidy mindset? Is it sickness of inferiority that we can not do it except some body from heaven?
Comeon! We dont have to spoil taxpayers money thru unnecessary compensations if these arrests stem from “chikuwawe” kind of politics. After all is kicked & played justice will take its usual course. Mind you a beast of along tail should not jump over the fire!
It is unfortunate to concentrate all the Government attention on political arrests when we do not have proper security in the country. Everyday you hear of people robbed, murdered, girls raped etec
Malawi Police. When will you stop harassing journalists on duty? So what were you preventing from being photographed? Shame!
He has been arrested, Yes. Lets hope for the first time we will hear the police saying they had arrested him because they had done the investigations. But If I will hear the police saying, ‘we are still investigating the matter’, then stupid him/her and everybody above.
what about our January salaries…don’t forget that you last paid us on 14 th December last year and this is another year…stupid Joyce banda and your useles police
while Joyce Banda is still in cvahrge expect confusin like this but when she goes on 21st May we want the new Governement to clean all this rubbish. If a person comits a crime, investigate , define the crime, charge, trial and guilty give punishement not gulity leave the citizen alone.
Za biti mchila zimangopitilila zopand m,utu ngati adminstartion yawo!
joyce banda is shame
The governing People’s Party has got its plate quqitefull-Capital Hill Cashgate fall-out, poaching recycled and spent-force politicians from opposition parties, managing the fall-out of bungled and mis-managed primaries, sourcing campaign materials like maize/maize flour and shoes, komanso kumangana ndi kutengelana ku mabwalo amilandu. Koma sadzimbidwa?. Let’s hope the party does not emerge out of the forthcoming Tripartite Elections heavily bruised. Imeneyi ndiye ‘ndale’ mmene tiyidziwira kuno ku Malawi. Akakulikha umapezeka kuti uli mdothi!
Am not a fan of Ralph but now am beggining to believe that the government is really scared of something. Am sure there is confusion. The warrant of arrest was about money laundering and they end up taking his car of which they think was used during Mphwiyo shooting. Zikugwilizanapo apa. This just shows kuti this is just witch hunting.
Kodi wamkulu wa polisi uja mukuti is a man of God.
This Ralph has been tried and found guilty according to the President when she said someone will rot in jail. Now comes Fahadi Assani with overwhelming evidence.
God is real and one day each one of of shall give the account of how we conducted ourselves.
When mama came to power, her speached really touched me. Especially when he talked about Chasowa. As a mother u said u ll make sure justice prevails. Look at u now. U are busy fighting Ralph and have nothing to do with Chasowas murder. The family will never know exactly what happened. Wasting money for pety issues yet the country is struggling. If indeed you are a partaker of the cashgate, You ll never have peace of mind until. All involved though they may bear false witness one day the truth shall prevail. God is real and knows every detail.
I am not supporting ralph but wat is happening is total shit
Simply say No to recycled politicians.
The Cashgate case for Caroline Savala is coming up on Monday and Ralph Kasambara is the Defence Lawyer. The country was going to know the truth regarding who were really the Cashgate beneficiaries, ie Pres Banda and her sons and family. By arresting the Defence lawyer Ralph means delaying the case, hence the nation will not know the truth.mThese charges against Ralph are just cooked up to conceal the truth from coming out…..means the Savala case will not proceed.
Ahhhh. Ku Malawi. Zoona. A n accused defending an accused in the same/similar case. But when is Joyce Banda appearing in court to witness Kasambala. Is it next week when Ralph is appearing in court. Please tell me I want to come down to LL to attend this case. Ngakhale ife tikhale tisanalandire malipilo komabe tikongola thansiport kwa a zimayi otakata a mandasi aja.