Lutepo, Kasambara charges amended again
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) plans to amend again charges levelled against private practice lawyer Ralph Kasambara, businessperson Oswald Lutepo and two others from K785 million (US$1 545 275.6) back to K5.7 billion (US$11 220 472).
The others are private practice lawyer Wapona Kita and businessperson Pika Manondo.
Last week, hired public prosecutor on Cashgate, Kamudoni Nyasulu, lowered the amount the accused persons were charged with from K5.7 billion to K785 million without giving reasons.
Count four of the amended charge read that Kasambara, Lutepo and Manondo, between July 26 and August 2013, at Standard Bank Ginnery Corner Branch in Blantyre, had in their possession proceeds of crime amounting to K785 million, which they knew or had reason to believe represented money obtained unlawfully.
But DPP Mary Kachale described this initial change to the charge as an internal error.
Briefing the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Lilongwe on Monday, Kachale said the figure of K5.7 billion would be maintained.
Kachale also disclosed that prosecution plans to consolidate cases involving businessperson Staffold Mpoola, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) director of legal services Ishmael Chioko, former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo and his wife Thandizo.
Mpoola was initially charged alone of theft and money laundering of government resources amounting to K2.1 billion.
This follows revelations that former deputy Inspector General of Police Nelson Bophani allegedly prevented the questioning and investigations into links between Mpoola and Mphwiyo.
Kachale said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Fiscal Police were conducting fresh investigations linking these people.
“Interference at his [Bophani] level has delayed successful investigations. It included shielding Mphwiyo, that’s why he was not arrested until now,” Kachale said.
