DPP includes Lutepo as accused  in Mphwiyo shooting case

The State has added  businessman Oswald Lutepo, the chief suspect in the systematic plunder of government money, dubbed ‘cashgate’, as one of the accused persons in an attempted murder case of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo.

Lutepo now joins lawyer Ralph Kasambara, Pika Manondo, Dauka Manondo and others answering to the same charges.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale told the court before Justice Michael Ntambo that the state has new evidence that shows that Lutepo was part of the conspiracy to murder Mphwiyo.

Lutepo
Lutepo

The defence team did not object to the application.

“We can’t stand on their way, they are free to bring in anyone into the issue,” said one of the defence lawyer Wapona Kita.

Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to November 12 to 14 when the defence will continue cross examining Mphwiyo.

In the trial, alaMphwiyo, whose shooting on 13 September 2013 led to the unravelling of the systematic looting of millions of government money dubbed ‘cashgate’, testified .

that Brown Mpinganjira, a senior government official in the former Joyce Banda administration, warned him that former Justice Minister and Attorney Ralph Kasambara – who was arrested in connection with the shooting, and another former ruling People’s Party (PP) official Hophmally Makande, had given him “ten days to live” unless he honoured certain government payments.

Makande, a former PP spokesman, is not on trial for the case but Kasambara, who has been charged with conspiracy to murder Mphwiyo, denies the charges.

Mphwiyo told the court, presided over by Justice Michael Mtambo, that two bullets hit him in the mandible and another went through his shoulder to his chest. One bullet was removed in a South African hospital but two others – lodged in his spinal column – will remain inside the 38-year-old for the rest of his life.

Soon after Mphwiyo’s shooting millions of cash in Malawi kwacha, US dollars and South African rands started pitching up in unlikely places like in car trunks, baby dolls, under beds or in pillow cases. 

Analysts say ‘cashgate’ may have cost Joyce Banda, Africa’s second female president, the the election held 20 May 2014.

Western donor countries and agencies reacted by freezing up to US $150 million in aid for Malawi.

At least 70 suspects are currently in court facing fraud, corruption and money laundering charges surrounding ‘cashgate’, Malawi’s worst financial scandal in its 50 years as an independent country.

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Oscar Pistorius
9 years ago

Learn a lesson from mlandu wa Oscar Pistorius who killed his girl friend in cold blood but the mysterious said to prove him guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt.

Oscar Pistorius
9 years ago

Learn a lesson from mlandu wa Oscar Pistorius who killed his girl friend in cold but the mysterious said to prove him guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt.

mlopwana
mlopwana
9 years ago

zomba samson dont be stupid kukamba za atumbuka we are all Malawians kodi namathanga ndi mtumbuka ngati anadzazana ku ministry iwe osapitako bwanji if its free for all dont expose ur galuism be smart. cant assist u

Zomba Simeon
9 years ago

if we continue giving chance atumbukawa ndalama zipitadi.Just go to capital hill in Education,Science and Technology Ministry,90% ndi atumbuka what they do mkumangotengana basi.We are very happy now that a Principle Secretary a Education has been removed.Kungofunika these people to be given their own land kuti azikakangana okhaokha.Shame!!!

zomba boyz
zomba boyz
9 years ago

Mmmhu very to malawian

kelvin evans
kelvin evans
9 years ago

Fishing expedition basi. Kasambara will walk away Scott free from this case

Phyuta Diwa
9 years ago

Malawians a being crewed !!! kkkkkkkkkkk

Matako
Matako
9 years ago

These people will walk mark my words. It is too risky for APM to continue investigating and trying these caprits. Cash gate is much bigger than what we are witnessing now. In order for prosecution to succeed they have to include all those involved prior to JB and that will be the tricky part. I kind of feel sorry for this country that we would allow these people to swindle state resources without an reprications. Why dont we practice vigilaqnte justice we already know who they are.

lufina
lufina
9 years ago

kodi Lutepo, Kita, kasambara. kodi atumbuka inu munakhala bwanji kodi? aalllllllla

Malawi
Malawi
9 years ago
Reply to  lufina

Wayiwala atumbuka ena – Triza Namathanga Senzani, Kalonga, Kavala, mhwiyo etc

kaptain
kaptain
9 years ago
Reply to  Malawi

Anakhala booo thus why they r challenging them big brains like the way bingu was doing siphoning tax money

Gwagwa
9 years ago

The author of this article is a shrewed writer. He leaves the reader to speculate which DPP he is referring to between Director of Public Prosecutions and Democratic Progressive Party. I hope he is referring to the former and not the latter. Be smarter next time.

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