ACB arrests Malawi Judiciary spokesperson Mvula for corruptly soliciting K10.7m from United Methodist Church

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested the spokesperson for the Judiciary Mlenga Mvula for corruptly soliciting K10.7 million and other favors from his church, United Methodist.

According to ACB Senior Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala, the arrest follows a compliant the Bureau received on July 17 2017 alleging that in 2016 and 2017, Mvula corruptly solicited K10.7 million from the United Methodist Church in the names of High Court judges and Attorney General’s office.

Ndala said in a statement that the Bureau, through investigations, established that the Judiciary spokeperson had on several occasions demanded various sums of money amounting to K10.7 million.

“The Anti- Corruption Bureau conducted investigation into the matter which established that Mr. Mlenga Mvula had on several occasions demanded various sums of money amounting to K10, 700,000.00 from the United Methodist Church through Reverend Daniel Mhone, the Executive Church Member and Conference Superintendent.

“This money was purportedly meant for the Attorney General’s office, judges, Judiciary and Mr. Mlenga for influencing the outcome of a Court case involving Reverend Jawati and the United Methodist Church,” the statement, signed by Ndala, reads in part.

Rev Mhone and Mvula  were consequently arrested on Friday.

Mvula was picked from his office at the Judiciary Complex in Blantyre.

“Mr Mlenga Mvula is likely to be charged with Obtaining by false pretences, contrary to Section 319 of the Penal Code and misues of public office contrary to Section 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act. Reverend Daniel Mhone is likely to be charged with corrupt practices with a public officer contrary to Section 24 (2) of the Corrupt Practices Act,” asserted Ndala.

She said they will be taken to Court after the Bureau has recorded caution statements from them.