Chunara charged with fraud, money laundering, granted court bail: Malawi cement-gate

Lilongwe senior resident magistrate Florence Msekandiana has granted bail to businessperson Shaffe Chunara, owner of Prestige Imports and Exports, who was arrested last Monday in connection with  the importation of Cement worth  K5 billion (about $7 million) duty free using former president Peter Mutharika’s tax-free status.

 Chunara: Walks free on bail
 Chunara being escorted by police

The court has since formally charged him with two counts of Fraud and Money Laundering.

Chunara was arrested by Fiscal Police for the cement saga after police earlier arrested Norman Chisale, aide to former president Peter Mutharika.

Chisale was also charged with fraud and money laundering.

Lawyer Powel Nkhutabasa said considering that Chunara’s co-accused person Chisale was granted bail on the cement importation matter, it was fair to also release his client.

The court has since released Chunara on  a K10 million bail bond and also imposed a condition that he surrenders two sureties worth K50 million each.

The cement was allegedly imported from Zambia and Zimbabwe and is suspected to have entered the country using the duty free status that presidents enjoy to import goods for personal use.

The court has adjourned to August 26 when the accused person will appear for full hearing.

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George P
George P
3 years ago

Job well done in the fight against corruption!

Chimwene wa Anabanda ku Joni
Chimwene wa Anabanda ku Joni
3 years ago

I want to beg the media in Malawi. You must be custodians of court cases that go silent and report on reasons why other people are treated differently. The law is the law it applies to all. Pursue all cases that are in the interests of Malawians to know the truth. Let investigative journalism begin to take hold but not witch hunt

yusuf
yusuf
3 years ago

Komanso Anzathu axhimwenyew ndiomwe akusokonez Dziko lamawi ngakhale malipilo ao ndiopangits manyaz

BigMan
BigMan
3 years ago

Flight risk

Sizzler
Sizzler
3 years ago

Every one wants Chisale ‘s heard on the table
dead…
And Judges will need Chinura employ their cousins since he has the monies..
Thats how things roll out in MALAWI..

Almahomet
Almahomet
3 years ago

The conduct of the judges and police leaves a lot to be desired. Indians are above arrest in this country, the police only invites them to share their successful theft stories and they are let go. If the Indian mentions man of colour then that man is arrested and re-arrested again and again and beaten to confess. Why the black police abuses fellow black citizens boggles my mind.

chimbirajembe
3 years ago

Chunara has only stayed hours in police cell, he is now on bail. Chisale was kept over the weekend in the police cell. Imeneyo ndiye malawi police service.
Chauta akuwona

Wonder
Wonder
3 years ago

Chunara; being Asian and being glanted bail is as good as case closed. You will never hear this case again in your lifetime. There has never been any Asian serving any sentence in our prisons.

ikarim
ikarim
3 years ago
Reply to  Wonder

The law states if the accused is not a danger to the public he can be granted bail whether he is black yellow white or any race!

TSOGOLO LOWALA
3 years ago

BUT WHY THIS SELECTIVE JUSTICE? PAKUTI NDI M”MWENYE

mchisala
mchisala
3 years ago

Investigations need to determine in what way(s) the Big Kahuna, shameless MUtharika (and family and friends), benefited from these fraudulent arrangements? If they in any way did, then they must also be prosecuted!!!!

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