Contractor Dzanjalimodzi found guilty of ‘Cashgate’, convicted: Malawi court defer sentence

The High Court in Lilongwe has found guilty and convicted  contractor Godfrey Dzanjalimodzi  in charged related to money laundering of  K338 million (about $610 000) during the infamous 2013 “cashgate” corruption scandal period.

On a step to prison from court: Dzanjalimodzi convicted of Cashgate affair.-Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma, Nyasa Times

Dzanjalimodzi used his building company called WG Construction.

Judge Ivy Kamanga convicted Dzanjalimodzi of both charges of theft and money laundering, saying prosecution successfully proved their case beyond reasonable doubt.

She said all seven witnesses that the state paraded proved Dzanjalimodzi benefitted from the money skimmed from government funds even though he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Businessmen and politicians are alleged to have colluded with civil servants to make payments for goods and services that were never delivered christened as Cashgate.

During the judgement, Dzanjalimodzi looked calm in the dock. He came without a lawyer as his attorney Davie Lameck was occupied with other matters.

The court heard during the trial from Mavuto Madimbo who was co-director of Dzanjalimodzi WG Construction Company. Madimbo testified that he became scared when Dzanjalimodzi informed him that a K91 million cheque was deposited into the company account but its source was unknown.

Madimbo said when he queried Dzanjalimodzi he was told there was nothing to discuss and that he (Madimbo) should leave things alone.

The co-director told the court that WG Construction had contracts to build schools in Kasungu, Chikwawa and Lilongwe districts, but the company sub-contracted because it lacked capacity to undertake the projects.

He said: “I was surprised when the subcontractor called me to query why we were not paying her when a K91 million cheque had just been deposited into our account.

“I was scared after I heard about the cheque and when I didn’t get an explanation from him [Dzanjalimodzi] I approached ACB [Anti-Corruption Bureau] who said my company was under watch over the suspicious transactions.”

The State also paraded as a witness National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) technical director Gerald Khonje who confirmed to the court that WG Construction was registered and flouted council regulations when it was named in the RSM (formerly Baker Tilly) forensic report among suspects to have fraudulently obtained money from the government.

He said NCIC suspended WG Construction and called the three directors to a hearing where they opted to remain silent.

Justice Kamanga has revoked bail of Dzanjalimodzi and remanded him to prison. She deferred her sentence to be delivered later.

Senior Assistant Chief State Advocate Dziko Malunda said “justice has been served.”

The arrest of Accounts assistant Victor Sithole in August 2013 – now serving jail after he was found guilty of stealing more than $66,000 in cash- kick-started what became known as the “cashgate” affair – the worst financial scandal in the country’s history.

It became public knowledge a month later following the shooting of the finance ministry’s then budget director Paul Mphwiyo.

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Generation of Vipers
Generation of Vipers
7 years ago

Koma zikuoneka kut its only those from the North and Central being persecuted here

Muona
Muona
7 years ago

Wow,mpaka kutukwana apa ulibe uli ndi nzimu wakufa,any way koma milandu yoteleyi ikhudza ambili boma la PP and a mbiri akhala Ku ndende ,bolani aboma akugwila ntchito yawo bwino ,Maya wins atukwana utopa wekha .

Vyanusi
Vyanusi
7 years ago

Its pathetic, very pathetic indeed. Yesterday son to late Honorable former MP late Dzanjalimodzi was convicted on cashgate related case and same day son to well-known Baptist Pastor Kayiya was gunned down by Police on criminal related issues, so they say. I respected Late Dzanjalimodzi because of his injunction and successful removal by courts against a permanent Police Road Block at Kapani on M1 Road . I still respect Pastor Kaiya, but fruits of their loins have really disappointed me. The son of pastor Sosten Mfune was also a notorious car hijacker and it is rumored he was also gunned… Read more »

mpherembe
mpherembe
7 years ago
Reply to  Vyanusi

Lier. Godfrey is BROTHER to the MP you are talking about. Kumafunsa obaba. Their father was was in the Police Services.

Nyopex
Nyopex
7 years ago
Reply to  mpherembe

Kaya ndi son or brother or whatever, akaseweze ndende basi, anatibera zathu. Zeni zeni adziwana okha kwaoko.

Pili
Pili
7 years ago
Reply to  Vyanusi

Godfrey Dzanjalimodzi is Raspicious Dzanjalimodzi’s brother, not son, their father was a policeman.

Kalekeni Kanene
Kalekeni Kanene
7 years ago

I’m deeply disappointed to see that some Malawians don’t love their country. A true patriot cannot steal from government coffers. Lets fear God by keeping his commandments. ‘You shall not steal’. AMalawi. tiyeni tilikonde dziko lathu. It should be a responsibility to every Malawian to uplift our nation from this extreme poverty. Ambuye awakhululukire anthu akubawa popeza sakudziwa chimene akuchita.

mmc
mmc
7 years ago

DPP cashgate is a fabrication of PP propaganda by Kamlepo and Harry to cover up their cashgate. To make you believe that DPP stole more than them i.e 236m compared to 25m. Ukuzayamba mulandu umenewu u will understand

nambewe
nambewe
7 years ago

when the judge says “this suspect has a case to answer” the suspect should start preparing life in jail. umakhala guilty as charged even if you explain your issue differently. that’s Malawi justice system, so selective. no wonder zanjalimozi lawyer was no where near the court. very unfortunate.

koma abale inu eeh
koma abale inu eeh
7 years ago

Then what happens to the ill gotten money, the ill laundered money, proceed of crime? $610 000 is a lot of money.
I really hope there are second phases of the proceedings where, we as a people, get back our money. In other words, a forfeiture of sorts. This principle does not seem to have been invoked in some cases, like the late Namathanga’s case, where she seems to have kept her mansion. Maybe, it was built before she stole the money. But you get my point.

Tapentadol
7 years ago

justice should be applicable to all

lisitoni wawononga
7 years ago

Kodi mchifukwa chiyani mukungomanga a opposition okhaokha pamene ku bomaku kuli mbava zomwe zidaba nthawi ya chimalemu chija chi Bingu

Dr Gerald Shawa
Dr Gerald Shawa
7 years ago

What about the DPP cash gate. You’re shit guys . Very selective in application of justice. Panyin… mtumbooooooolo wanu mwava

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