DPP insists on ‘mafia-like’ operations in Mphwiyo case
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mary Kachale has maintained her stand that the defence in the case of the shooting of Malawi’s former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo is employing ‘mafia-like operations’, allegations that led to a heated argument in court.
Kachale said she cannot withdraw her comments that the State is dealing with mafia-like operations, saying it is a matter of fact .
Defence lawyer John Gift Mwankwawa asked the court to remove the comments from the court records, adding that Kachale should apologise, but the top prosecutor stood her ground.
“I’m an officer of the law and I stand by what I said. I am not going to apologise. The state has reasonable evidence to conclude as such,” charged Kachale.
Presiding High Court judge Michael Mtambo has said he will make his ruling when the court reconvenes from 27 of April, 2015 after prosecution closed its case.
Former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ralph Kasambara is answering charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder alongside Macdonald Kumwembe who Mphwiyo identified as the shooter, Dauka Manondo, Pika Manondo, Robert Kadzuwa and Osward Lutepo. Lutepo, who has been exonerated by lead investigator, is yet to enter his plea while the other suspects have pleaded not guilty.
Mtambo then directed that both state and defense lawyers should make written submissions, arguing for case to answer, for the State and No case to answer for the defense by the 21st of April, 2015.
He also told both parties (State and defense) that each would be accorded 15 minutes of oral representations for case to answer for the state and defense team before making his ruling.
The state paraded lead investigator in the case, Assistant Superintendent Kankwala Chilinda, Kasambara’s former maid, Jesse Mussa, Doctors Carlos Varera and Hetherwick Ntaba and Mphwiyo’s guard among others.
Mphwiyo was shot outside his home on September 13 2013, an event which seemed to have unravelled the massive plunder of government resources at Capital Hill later dubbed Cashgate.
give the qualified guys a chance to complete the case.
As every seasoned judge not these you can buy ,ask every seasoned Lawyer ask Bingu the answer is one “MAFIA”
Shooting Mphwiyo was excellent – it has unearthed the cashgate. You can imagine if the looters were not known, Malawi could be much worse off by now. When is Mphwiyo appearing in court for his loot? This guy should be in jail. The state shouldn’t be protecting this thief
Zandile you cant talk of mafias who want to defeat justice when state evidence itself is manufactured evidence. State itself has mafias likes of chilinda, kalemba former DPP and makwinja who coined the evidence to implicate ralph kasambara. Now if state has clear mafias amongst themselves and state witnesses are revealing that in court like chalunda you are right malawi is a state of mafias just as peter mutharika rigged elections in mafia way
GRM wabodza mary has no facts apart from her manufactured evidence. I was in court when her own key witness disowned affidavit. He said government manufactured that for him. So make your honest and intelligent conclusion if mary is as brilliant as you think. Problem herw is not mary, major problem is mphwiyo himself who chose to hide the truth. Mphwiyo knows who shot him and why. He was with leonard kalonga at goaf club trying to share some k200 million amongst themselves. Mphwiyo became greedy. The conflict started from there. This is the truth
She is right. We have mafia in Malawi and the was to defeat justice.
GRM – Nice try, but I’m in the States and I don’t know either of these guys. I just follow the news on Nyasatimes and the Nation. It’s always advised to look at issues with an unbiased mind. It’s unfortunate that our Malawi looks at who you know – friends or pachibale or wakwithu or what’s in it for me, instead of focusing on the truth! Should we continue this trend, we’ll never win any cases except for those akuba mbuzi, etc. Without the involvement of lies, I’m sure we could have sent both Ralph, Paul and many involved in… Read more »
the progress of the case is really awkward
Some of the comments are from Kasambara himself alias Lydia. Takudziwani. The DPP is spot on. Cashcaters acted as Mafia coz they are Mafia. Mary is not only beautiful but intelligent young lady. The student will jail this Mafiaso former lecture.
This case is a waste of time and money. These people know the truth, they just want to fool the nation and the so called donors.