Kasambara wants K60m from Kaliati

Detained former Attorney General for Malawi Ralph Kasambara is demanding a sum of K60 million (about $359 281) from Information and Civic Education Minister Patricia Kaliati for defamation.

Kasambara’s lawyer, Wapona Kita, said on Sunday he had already prepared documents for the lawsuit where they are demanding the money as damages to Kasambara, a prominent lawyer, politician and human rights activist.

Said Kita: “We wrote a letter to Mrs Kaliati and sent it to her office on Saturday demanding the K60 million. We have given her seven days to respond. The other documents are awaiting the Judiciary strike to be processed because they have to be signed by the registrar [of the High Court and Supreme Court].”

Kasambara said in an interview soon after his temporary release on Wednesday that he would sue Kaliati following her comments that alleged “the lawyer tried to sodomise three men and beat them for rejecting his sexual advances.”

Kaliati last week told Malawi Broadcasting Corporation and Zodiak Broadcasting Station that Kasambara made sexual advances to three men he alleged tried to assassinate him.

But on Sunday, Kaliati laughed off the suit which she described as a mere money-making scheme.

Said Kaliati: “Obviously, they did not listen to my statement. I never mentioned Kasambara and I would advise them to go back to the interview and listen carefully. Tell them it is laughable and they need to investigate thoroughly.”

Kasambara was arrested last Monday alongside Arthur Chikankheni, Mayamiko Kadango, Brian Magoya, Patrick Gadama and Ali Kaka. They were charged with assault occasioning bodily harm on a trio which reportedly attempted to assassinate Kasambara and petrol-bomb his offices and residence in Blantyre.

The six men were released on Wednesday from Chichiri Prison in Blantyre, but Kasambara was re-arrested within hours for “flouting procedures”. On Thursday, he was transferred to Zomba Maximum Security Prison.

On Friday night, Kasambara was taken to Mwaiwathu Private Hospital for heart problems.