Chaponda, Tayub found ‘not gulity’,  acquitted in ‘Maizegate’:  Zambian maize procurement case

May 18, 2018 Green Muheya -Nyasa Times 135 Comments

Former minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda and businessperson Rashid Tayub have been acquitted after court ruled on Friday that they have no case to answer in the Zambian maize procurement case.

Chaponda (R) and Tayub: Co-accused

Chaponda appeared relieved at Zomba Magistrate’s Court as Zomba chief resident magistrate Paul Chiotcha prounuced his determination.

The court acquitted Chaponda in all three charges which include giving false information to Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), influencing a public officer to misuse his position and possession of foreign currency.

Tayub was also said to have no case  on  the charge of persuading a public officer to misuse his position but they both denied the charges.

Chaponda, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-president for Southern Region, was arrested last year alongside Tayub, director of TransGlobe, for suspected corrupt acts in the maize procurement transaction.

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135 replies on “Chaponda, Tayub found ‘not gulity’,  acquitted in ‘Maizegate’:  Zambian maize procurement case”

  1. Koma DPP isaluze masankho chilungamo chidzawoneka ndithu kumwambakuli mulungu adzaweluza Magufuli akawina 2019

  2. Kikikik atumbuka agwa nayo. Our Chaponda is clean.

    Watsala bakha akungoyenda tang’atang’ayu joice banda nayenso akalowe kumpanda for the jetgate, armygate, petroleumgate, escomgate, rottenmaizegate, cashgate, mudzitransformationgate etc etc.

    Agalu atumbuka inu you are pathetic hypocrites. Why are you silent on joice banda the she-thief?

  3. If you’re emotionally attached to your tribe, religion or political leaning to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, your education is useless. Your exposure is useless. If you cannot reason beyond petty sentiments , you’re a liability to humankind. I rest my case

    1. @DzukaiAmalawi:
      It would appear your criticism is aimed at those concurring with the Court ruling. But you should be aware that is their primary reason for appearing to support Mr Chaponda; not necessarily because he’s a homeboy or because of religious or political affiliations, as you put it.
      One of the benefits of the judicial system operating in a democracy, in contrast to pre-1994 Kamuzu and MPs dictatorship, is the zero to minimum tolerance of political interference. So, when presiding learned magistrates and judges make a call with regarding a case, with written reasonings, we should accept the judgement regardless of the accused’s tribe, religion or politics. And leave it to trained lawyers to disagree on the technical stuff. And appeal, if necessary. Note that in this case, the trained professionals find no technical reasons to appeal.
      Finally, and Ironically, the same line of reasoning you present above can be used to criticize those, on the other side: the people who disagree with the legal ruling, even though the court is VERY clear on the reasoning. So, who are you, exactly, criticizing?

  4. It’s very pathetic and disheartening for our poor Malawi. Hearing this makes me feel very sick. It’s mostly in Africa and particularly this poor country called Malawi that people can cheer at this utter nonsense done by the courts. This country is really collapsed and has lost its moral compass, bent for destruction. I wonder how foolish some learned people on this forum are backing up this mediocre judgement. This is not about arguments or about hunting Chaponda!!!! To hell with your useless stance on siding with this educated thief. Its about loving this country, exposing the truth, eliminating corruption, moulding a brighter future for our kids and restoring Malawi to its former respected and glorious legacy, period. But with the kind of government in power and you educated Malawians having corrupt minds……. I don’t know.

    Father Ernest Mwinganyama already told the nation in advance about what was about to happen. I didn’t expect anything different from what he said, it has really come to pass. I don’t trust the Malawian judicial system; it is not independent, ridden with corrupt officials, ready to send the poor in prisons and defend the thieving elite rich folks, including Amwenye a “Ziko ndi wanu ndalama ndi wathu”. One of the former Chief Justiceses, who happens to be an in-law of my cousin openly confided to my father that here in Malawi the judiciary is not independent. It is dragged here and there by politicians who influence its decisions. The respect they receive are just podieum mere rhetoric, meant to flatter them. But when it comes to major decisions such as the Chapondas case they are told what to do in advance. It was also said that they can’t go against what they have been instructed for fear of losing a job or even being killed. So this Chaponda’s case was already a backroom decision decided some months ago.

    Stop making noise backing this thief. Ask your friends in South Korea what they did to their corrupt President, then you will know that we are miles apart and we are just dreaming in this poor shit called Nyasaland.

    TRUTH HURTS PEOPLE BUT EMBRACE IT IF MALAWI IS TO PROGRESS.

    1. Whilst you are 100% right in your analysis hence your well placed anger; you must remember that 90% of our population is uneducated (though paper-educated) with no critical thinking skills. Even the educated 10% is in no space to connect the dots to understand the link between bad politics, rampant corruption and the poverty all around them (our minds are enslaved to not think that we are worth much more). As the wise would say. eloquently that…….”If we are emotionally attached to our respective tribe, religion or political leanings to the point the the truth and justice become secondary considerations, then our education is useless, our exposure is useless. If we cannot reason beyond petty sentiments, then we are a liability to humankind”.

  5. Ndende ndi ya ife a mphawi anthu olemera amapita ku ndende ngati? Poti aliyense wadziwilatu kuti apa chilungamo chakhota. Ngati anthu aku Zambia anali ready kuti adzaperekere umboni. Ku capital hill simunawotcha office kufafaniza umboni sometimes I wonder office ya Agricultural ku Capital yapsa almost 4 times ????????

  6. No.no.no.the case is nt over.i dn’t understand why the case of Mr Muluzi is still in court. While a case of mr choponda is over and done it very fast.there is no justice here.Please NGO MAKE PLAN CAN WE GO TO STREET.

    1. Why asking NGO? Go by yourself. What more did you want? Amangidwe opanda chifukwa? Shame on you Peter. One is innocent until proven guilty. Leave Chaponda alone.

  10. Justice has been done! The media and CSOs must be ashamed. How could Chaponda have stolen when the maize was not even bought from Zambia. The opposition should be ashamed too.

  11. This is corruption at its best, the country where everyone is corrupt!!!!corrupt JUDGES!!
    Shame on you
    You’re destroying malawi and other ignorant people are supporting anthu okubawa..umbuli ukuwononga dziko lathu

  12. Zimakhala chonchi anthu tikasiya kuganiza & start using our emotions pa nkhani zomwe tangonva zoti tilibe nazo umboni okwana. In Malawi we too much trust our media. Nde reporter mwina akangolemba nkhani yake yoti mwinanso sanafufuze bwinobwno tayambapo mavuvu. Lero ndi izi. Timati ndi okuba uja nkumamukuwiza amupeza osalakwa Ku court, kenaka nkhani yasintha ayiii Ku court kulube chilungamo…. Mumafuna amumange alive milandu?

  15. Acquit Sithole too. Kulibe chilungamo ku Malawi, okubawo ndi ozenga mlanduwo onse okuba. Judge akadakhala Mulungu bwezi nonsenu mutapita ku ndende.

    1. No friend!! Its time to stop using emotions but rationality. Osamangogundika kuchita acuse munthu opanda umboni okwanila.

      1. umbuli is very expensive,,we support ignorantly,,it was a straight forward case!!! CORRUPT MALAWIII

  19. No Asian trader like Tayub or a Lomwe like Chaponda can EVER be found guilty in a Court in Malawi. No law or rules applies to Asians traders or Lomwes.
    The rest of Malawians are to be abused and trodden upon like shit. Cry Malawians and be ashamed of your useless selves wherever you are.

    1. dont make sweeping sentenses pliz.. to u it might not be fair to others its fair.

  20. How can someone be acquitted of possession of foreign currency which was however found in his possession?

    2. if one has currency in possession does not mean was acquired using dubious means pls malawi wake up. Suprisingly if court rules in favor of others not in govt credit goz to courts saying there are independent but if the same rules in favor of those in govt we say courts are not independent amalawi tinatani? mchitidwe uwu ndi womwe ukuwononga our beautiful land kuti if we are against somebody without apparent reasons then we want to use every means to finish him/her! shame!!!!

  21. Koma ine a neighbour akadzapeza nkhuku ikutola chimanga mnyumba mwanga adzandimanga fir 2 yrs ati ndinaba nkhuku ya neba yet yokha imkadzangodya nawo chimanga changa

    1. Kungoti anthu nonse amene mumakhulupilira atolankhani ndinu dzitsiru ife tinaziwa kale kuti anthuwa ndiosalakwa chifukwa tinaimvetsesa nkhaniyo kuti chimangacho sichinagulidwe ndipo Bank imene kumafun’ika kuti Boma libwelekeko ndalama sanapeleke ndalamazo ndiye ndalama anabazo anaba kwa ambwiyanu .Mumafuna mungopeza mwai woipitsirapo BOMA shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit

  22. Surprised? I am not and i can tell you 2019 DPP will win the day by force, or through the front or back door these guys have us right in their pockets. Lets pray hard for our nation.

  23. It’s nice to see the Bwanankubwa smiling again: the Court just confirmed what some of us, unbiased individuals, have been saying all along that the Northern NGOs were just out to crucify Mr Chaponda. This whole charade was like a personal vendetta, and as part of the “let’s get those Ahlomwe, and tarnish them” strategy. Truth is there are/were no facts at all in those allegations.
    So, what’s next, that the accusations have been exposed as lies? Chaponda BOMA basi.
    Can’t keep a good man down for for long.
    Now the defamation case can proceed: Kasakula usayambe kubiba.

  24. This is nonsense!Malawi will never defeat corruption.Political appeasement will never take Malawi to nowhere.No wonder he is campaigning for APM.

    1. the judge only requires factual evidence to prove the case . so if you have the evidence on your own . you can as wel take them bac to the courts .

  26. I fail to understand when one says Chaponda wakuba.Munthu amaba chinthu chomwe sichinasowe? Its funny how Many Malawians particularly the elite were fooled by this hoax. But let us not forget that we are a nation governed by laws and not personal emotions displayed on social media, through MCP owned Times Group or overemotional George Kasakula. Facts are important in every case. Malawi government did not lose any single tambala from actions of the former agriculture minister. If you have been following the case you can agree with me that this timely and not only will George Chaponda win the case but also get compensation from Times Group for defamation.

    3. licence to keep foreign currency?????😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😵this is sad,,,umbuli wa aMalawi ukuthandizila kuononga dziko

  27. With what is happening in the DPP, i can easily believe what a very senior member of the party told me that it was indeed it was Chilima behind Chaponda’s downfall.He wanted him dented as a thief so that he shouldn’t have a chance of succeeding Mutharika in 2019.Chaponda being from the lomwe belt is the closest to the president and the most educated in the DPP after Mutharika himself.Remember he is a lawyer from Yale University. Koma zamilanduzi awina.

  28. George Chaponda and Tayub have won the case! And not because Chaponda is DPP but because there is no enough evidence against him. Misuse of his office is an ethical issue which he paid for by being sucked koma osati being jailed.It goes without saying he will be paid damages.

    1. You are stupid and a fool to think Chaponda is free not because his not dpp, but cause of justice.

  29. This is not a surprise at all.If you look at this issue objectively ACB has always lacked substance in their arguments against Chaponda.The problem is that a lot of us were misguided by the media who have been bias in their reporting since the start of the case but It is now clear that he will win this case.

  30. Chaponda has demonstrated to be very patient, mature and a high calibre lawyer but not commenting much on these issues since they started. He knew was winning even though the media which cooked up the story in the first place was biased in their reporting of the court proceedings. An example could be where Times Group deliberately decided to be quoting Chaponda’s Fake Facebook account which was posting arrogant statements when he went to Germany and also the time they said Dausi faulted Chaponda and that was confused contrary to what he said in court.

  31. ACB yathu ndiyopusa period! You don’t start a big issue like this one without proper basis. They relied on George Chaponda’s public perception and unfortunately a lot us were wrong! Stepping aside or firing him as agriculture minister was enough but not arresting him. Malawi government will pay him

  32. Ndiozosachitanso kubisa kuti Chaponda anawina nkhani ya chimangayi kalekale.Anthu ankafuna kumuonongera mbiri nkuluyu kuti amuphumitse u president. I don’t know about you but I believe Chilima had a hand in Chaponda’s downfall.

  33. Anthu aku DPP Kwaoko anangodana ndi Chaponda chifukwa ankaona ngati Peter Mutharika amusiyila u president 2019.Koma kunena chilungamo panalibepo nkhani yoti mpakana munthu nkumangidwira.

  34. It goes without saying that Chaponda has no case to answer. We just got excited with people like Kamlepo Kalua , Chidanti Malunga and his friends who knew he was innocent from the start but wanted to travel to Zambia and get money in form parliamentary committee allowances.

  35. This is not coming as a surprise. From the word go anyone who looked at the issue objectively could see that it was politics at play and this Chaponda guy has no case to answer.

  37. Anthu amanyi mkhosi komanso nkhwidzi ndi omwe amangotukwana koma osamva zomwe khothi kapena malamulo akunena.Munya! Chaponda ndalama zake zabwera ndipo mlandu wake awina ndipo DPP Iwina chisankho inu ndi nsete za Chakwera zanuzo muli biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii musetera Lezala la MIA.kikikikikiki

  40. The George Chaponda I know and the one I read about in media are totally different.You might not know this but the George Chaponda I worked with at the ministry of education during the Bingu Era is very strict, committed to work and disciplined.Mkuluyu sangabe by any means

  42. This is timely .If you have been following the proceedings ACB kuchulutsa ma excuse ever since the case started. This is only fair to the accused, otherwise George Chaponda and probably his family suffered public humiliation for nothing.

  44. The souls of the two accused knows the truth assuming that they influenced this decision in one way or the other by doing the following: Burning evidence; using political influence; asking Goodall to accept a false document as evidence in a court of law; twisting facts to favour their side. God will remind all involved in theft of any form, says the bible. When will this happen? Time will come. It will definitely come!

    1. Chaponda burnt the offices so that anthu adziti evidence inasowa.He was offering the judge 30 million kwacha to convict Chaponda.Munyera!

      1. Baby burnt the agriculture offices in a move to finish Chaponda…aziti Chaponda anaotcha office..

  45. ANTHU ANAYESETSA KUIPITSA MBILI YA CHAPONDA KOMA MULUNGU SI MUNTHU.EVERYTIME YOU CURSE HIM OUT THE MORE HE BLESSES HIM.PHUNZIRO LATHU LA LERO: KUWELUZA NDI KWA MWINI WAKE JEHOVA.AMEN

  46. Do not mock MaIawians with the obvious. And if Chaponda is celebrating then there’s certainly something very wrong with him. If such a case was to be tried by a Judge with integrity like Justice Msosa obviously the outcome would been different.
    Remember Zuma is back in court for charges that were dubiously dropped about a decade ago.
    Shame on mediocrity!!!

    1. Atumbuka think they are more malawian than others.Mwa ma judge onsewa koma mukuti akanakhala waku mpoto basi nde zikanayenda bwino?.Zamanyi basi ! that why anthu tinakanika kuvotela MCP Because kunali mtumbuka kumbuyo kwa chakwera 2014. Learn to accept things.We were all wrong for judging Chaponda based on his enemies propaganda on Times Group and social network.

      1. You can hate Tumbukas but they are the most beneficiaries in top positions. Kungolamulira nkuwapangira dollar basi

  47. Chilungamo kuyenda ngati Madzi! Congratulations Dr. George Chaponda. We wish you all the best.

  48. Chaponda had no case to answer. ACB embarrassed itself because they relied much on Chaponda’s public perception koma paokha anakanika kupeza umboni okwanira against him. How I wish mbuzi yotchedwa Kondowe was still ku ACB kuti aone kuti dyera limaonga ntchito.He was used by DPP enemies pano ali kuti??? This is pure politics by chilima and that’s why MCP gave it a blind eye

  49. GOOD NEWS FINALLY! Chaponda is innocent and soon TIMES GROUP mothandizana ndi KASAKULA, MADALITSO MUSSA, will pay him money for defamation.

  50. Malawi justice system! Poor voters your maize……go and vote again next year for these thieves i bet thus what you want if you dont wake up by now! The guy drives a Range has houses in France and you bet what he eats.

  51. Koma anthu ndioipa.Anadziwa kuti Chaponda will in the end be cleared and that’s why adaotcha dala ma office a ministry of agriculture cholinga adzati Chaponda wasowetsa evidence and Malawians should continue hating him.

  52. Many journalist don’t write anything good about George Chaponda simply because amati mkuluyu ndioumila.Thats why aliyense anamuukila nthawi imodzi koma he did not steal anything.The court has proved it

  53. Mulungu amapanga njira popanda njira! Anthu ambiri timadana ndi Chaponda chifukwa cha nkhani zopanda mutu weniweni.Ilipo ndalama inasowa ku Agriculture? Palibe! Just like any other Malawian he has gotten his justice.

  54. Finally justice has taken its course. God bless Chaponda and pay him back for he suffered for nothing. The only crime he committed was being close to APM and a lot of his fellow DPP gurus including Chilima and Nankhumwa thought he was being groomed for the presidency. Now that they know Mutharika himself is standing they have no reason to continue hating Chaponda.

  55. Ndizosadabwitsa! Mkuluyu palibe chomwe adalakwa.Anthu anangofuna kumuonongera mbiri chifukwa ankaona ngati akhala president in 2019.Mission accomplished koma anangomuonongera mbiri pachabe.

  56. I wondered when people called Chaponda mbava without any bases.this guy a Yale university graduate.He has worked in so many countries at top level including Poland,France,Somalia,Zambia, Ethiopia, Swirteland and we expect him to be poor.mind you that was before joining politics in 2002.The only crime Chaponda committed was to close to Mutharika and people within the DPP incuding SAULOSI CHILIMA thought he was going to take over in 2019

  57. This is not surpring at all.ACB Had no concrete evidence against George Chaponda.Thats why mpaka lero palibe chomwe chinachitika.Fuck politics,he has his freedom back! Congratulations GT!

  58. Many Malawians particularly the elite are not happy with the development. But let us not forget that we are a nation governed by laws and not personal emotions displayed on social media, through MCP owned Times Group or overemotional George Kasakula. Facts are important in every case. Malawi government did not lose any single tambala from actions of the former agriculture minister. If you have been following the case you can agree with me that this timely and not only has George Chaponda won the case but also get compensation from Times Group for defamation.

  59. Ngati makhothi anamasula chigawenga chotchedwa Raph Kasambara ndiye mukanene Hon. Chaponda.It was clear that he was going to win this case.

  60. George Chaponda ndi munthu olimba mtima.Tikakhala enafe titagwa ndi BP polingalira kuti nkhani zimenezi zinapekedwa ndi anzake ku DPP komweko.

  61. I love how everybody was castigating Hon. George Chaponda on facebook when the maizegate issues came out and now that the truth is slowly coming out anthu ayamba kupinda michira.

  62. WOW!!!!!!!!!! GOOD NEWS. Chilima kumutero wayamba period munthu wamamuna kuti wabetsa ndalama nso nkudzasemphananso ndi upulezidenti uja mayine!!!!!!!

  65. Times Group MMIMBA KUTI BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU akaganizira defamation case. Kuti Phwaaaaaaaaaa

  66. Mulungu wa Jacob, Mulungu Wa Abraham , Mulungu wa George Chaponda wa zatheka bwanji! Congratulations Honorable

  67. Chilungamo chayenda ngati madzi! Anthu oipa anayesetsa kumuipitsira mbiri munthuyu koma onani zomwe wachita! Haleluya Haleluya! Haleluya!

  68. Congratulation Dr.George Chaponda, You Sir, were treated unfairly by the people have no knowledge about the law.Next is the overzelous Times Group and its Journalists/PoliticialBootylickers to pay you for defamation

  70. Eeeeh koma zoona! when will justice prevail in this fucken country! So we say there is Justice in courts? shame!! total shame!!!!!

  73. The power of the executive arm of govt. Now govt will have to pay him billions in damages

  78. We knew this would be the verdict. Not guilty!!!. It is the 17m Malawians that have lost the case. Chaponda is seen smiling while Malawians are crying for the loss of public resources. Soon or later Chaponda will sue Malawians and through their taxes they will pay him huge sums of money. Thats what happens when corruption has its roots in the justice system. Malawians will suffer twice.

  82. Tinanena ife kuti palibepo nkhani apa! Saulosi Chilima funded people including George Kasakula and other journalists to damage reputation ya George Chaponda because he knows Mutharika would prefer him to be his successor. Game tembenu!

  84. I am surprised that Malawians are surprised. There is justice system for the poor and a parallel one for the wealthy. Poor people pay taxes from their meagre income and gets looted by greedy politicians who then in turn corrupt the justice system to look the other way as they rape the country of its resources. Malawi has been sleeping for too long whilst the rest of the world has woken up. Why are we still slaves in our our country in 21st century.

  86. Malawians have been sleeping since the early 20th century to the extent that the so many paper-educated politicians needed a “foreigner” (Kamuzu Banda) to fight for their own freedom. Kamuzu Banda put all of us to sleep whilst he was looting and became wealthier than the country as he presided over the land. We woke up temporarily in 1993 leading to a multi-party democracy, but then went back to sleep again, whilst Muluzi looted the coffers until there were empty. We couldn’t wrestle the country from Muluzi’s grip so we called in another “foreigner” by the name of Bingu, to lead us to the land of milk & honey. We then went back to sleep and he, like other before him, looted until there was nothing left for the ordinary people. When God heard the cries of the people He recalled him to the source and Joyce took over and was only willing to take over from where Bingu left (she too looted like there was no tomorrow). We then pleaded with another “foreigner” Peter, to clean up the mess whilst we slept. Like every leader before him, he too is looting the country out of its resources. Since there’s nothing worth looting, he has now resorted to selling Malawi’s crown jewels (land, minerals, oil and the youth), to the highest foreign bidder. Foreigners have now descended on the country to take whatever they want, in as long as the president gets some “commission” of some sort. The land is almost sold out, minerals are all gone and so is the oil. The youth have now been destroyed with illicit drugs consumption and the country is now left with an education system that produces dysfunctional and unemployable graduates. We have willingly participated in the destruction of humankind including our own grandchildren. We have decided to keep quiet and not use the very power that God gave us……our voice. We have devils in our midst roaming the streets disguised as political leaders and we are busy sleeping. If you doubt any word that I have written then just check how many politicians have been tried and jailed for the millions of dollars that they have expropriated….none!. Once finished with Malawi’s resources these politicians will be glad to pack their bags and take their families overseas. Dzukani a Malawi!!!!!!

  91. How much has the magistrate pocketed for this ruling? Does ACB have prosecutors? Paving way for the thief to rule the country. If this thief is made president of the country I bet you this magistrate will be promoted to High Court Judge and I can bet my 1 million kwacha on this. This was expected that’s why he is making a lot of noise and mobilizing MPs against SKC wave……kuoma patali a Malawi

  92. The charges for the two had no evidence
    How can court convict some one where no cash was taken and paid
    Some one whose the whole finance said had authority
    Paid dollars from his pension
    CSO to understand and respect court so too PAC
    Don’t do as u are doing with electoral Bill which was defited in Parliament you are using it to match to streets.

  93. Malawi sadzatheka ata mpang’ono pomwe………tipange outsource leadership basi from outside Malawi

  95. These people need phyiscal beating by Malawians to know that timanyasidwa nazo…Its time to be teaching politicians lessons by panel beating them. We will be personally barring them from rallies….by throwing stones in their eyes so that they dont see people again.

  96. they need to be compensated for defamation . emotions does not take part in deciding to whether one is guilty or not.

  97. As if the opposite could’ve happened, Malawian courts are for injunctions not justice!

  101. Quote, “Little thieves are hanged, great ones escape”. Clarke in his book Paraemiologia, published 1639 (v,852a)

    1. Honestly, I sometimes find it difficult to understand and appreciate how our justice system operates! This, am sure shocks even the suspects! Mxii

    2. When money exchange hands thats the out come.poor investigation from the authority. However Chouluka chingawuluke bwanji chizatera.

    3. it would be better to drop all corruption cases- including cash gate- malawi is a corrupt free country

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