Chisale  stole my JC certificate and wanted to get rid of me  – Witness

Pythias Hiwa, whose junior certificate of education (JCE) is suspected to have been used by former president Peter Mutharika’s bodyguard Norman Chisale, to get recruited at the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), said Chisale attempted to kill him.

Hiwa, testifying as prosecution witness before Lilongwe resident magistrate Shyreen Chirwa, in a case Chisale is accused  for using a fake certificate, told the court that in 1996 he went for MDF recruiting exercise in Ntcheu but was not successful as the army wanted 16 people and he was number 17 on the line.

He then went to leave the certificate with his younger brother at his home village after being left out. However, he was surprised to get a call from his uncle that he had been picked to join MDF.

Hiwa said then  he inquired about his recruitment but discovered a different person by the name Pythias Hiwa had been employed. He later went to his home village to check his certificate, only to be told that Norman Chisale had picked it.

He then tried to take legal action but his efforts were fruitless.

Hiwa told the court  that in 2012 some soldiers got to know him (Hiwa) after he secured another job in Lilongwe. They were surprised that he had the same name as that which was being used by Chisale.

He said Chisale later visited him in Lilongwe and asked him if he was aware that his brother was in South Africa to which he answered that yes. Hiwa told the court he was later advised by some people not to sleep at his house and later informed by his wife that Chisale had been to his house and came with papers. He said his visit was not in good faith saying he was told that Chisale wanted to get rid of him.

Hiwa further told the court that he went to complain at MDF but was later being hunted by Chisale.

He said he fled to another country to save his life and he is yet to recover his certificate.

Hiwa laments that he missed many job opportunities because of lack of a certificate and that affected his life.

Before Hiwa could testify, lawyers tussled on preliminary issues.

Chisale lawyers Gilbert Khonyonga, Fostino Maere and Chancy Gondwe argued that the incident happened over 20 years ago and that Chisale left Malawi Defence Force where he is alleged to have joined using a fake certificate.

However, the State has asked to have the matter continued saying the review process might take long.

Senior Resident Magistrate Shyreen Chirwa  ruled that the matter  should still continue .

Trial continues on December 4 2020 for more witnesses for the State.

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