Kasambara, Manondo spit fire

Former Justice Minister Raphael Kasambara and businessperson Pika Manondo have lashed out at Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Nelson Bophani, accusing them of favouritism.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday at the magistrate court in Lilongwe, where they appeared to face money laundering charges, the two said government is failing to bring to book the real ‘cashgaters’ and is busy trying petty cases.

Kasambara and Manondo are also facing attempted murder charges in the shooting of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo.

“We all know the DPP wants to use me as scapegoat. I did not agree with the whole process of cashgate and my conscience is clear and that is why they have not brought a charge against me all this time.

“If they were serious with the charge, they should have started with [Oswald] Lutepo who [allegedly] stole K2.4 billion, but up to now, his accounts have not been frozen, his cars have not been impounded, but if we go to Area 30, you will see a lot of vehicles there belonging to other people, is Bophani serious?” charged Manondo.

Kasambara added: “If there is money laundering charges, they need to prove where the money was stolen from, which department? Because we are asking and demanding answers, that is when they have decided to bring in these fake charges which they are failing to prove themselves. Meanwhile, Lutepo is being shielded by the police.”

According to Kasambara, the DPP is selective on cases to bring to court. He alleges that the DPP has motives.

“The DPP’s decision is not based on evidence, but what he wants to achieve and it’s unfortunate that it’s these lies being perpetrated in public, otherwise if he [were] serious we should not be in this court, because I was not linked in any way,” he said.

When contacted, DPP Bruno Kalemba said he would not dignify the allegations with a response.

“Madam, do you really think I should respond to that? On any given day, there are more than hundred thugs and thieves we try in court who complain and if my office were to concentrate on their demands and begin to answer each and every one, do you think I will work? So on this one, I will dignify myself and not respond, thank you,” he said.

Bophani also declined to comment on the claims on Lutepo’s vehicles and his alleged VIP treatment.

“This case is in court and I can’t comment. What do these people mean when they say VIP treatment? I thought they were together in prison at some point? I don’t know, I am not commenting,” he said.

Senior ACB public relations officer Egritta Ndala denied assertions that the bureau has unfrozen accounts connected to cashgate.

“The ACB has not unfrozen any order on any bank account connected with cashgate except Ebeneza Village Banking and Savings Group which investigations found that the transactions in the account were legal and legitimate.

“Perhaps [it could be] that some freezing orders expired and we are in the process of having them extended by courts on interpartes hearing where in some cases dates for the hearings were given beyond the expiry dates of the orders,” she said.

Manondo was denied bail by the High Court over his charges on attempted murder while Kasambara, facing similar charges, is out on bail.