Some DPP MPs feel Chaponda corruption trial is deliberately being dragged
Some ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members of Parliament (MPs) who are for pro-George Chaponda, former Agriculture Minister’s who is currently answering to corruption-related charges over a maize procurement contract with Zambia, have expressed their displeasure on the way the State is handling the case.
One of the MPs feels government is “tactically and deliberately” dragging the case so that they finish with Chaponda’s political career pointing a figure on Leader of the House, Kondwani Nankhumwa as the one pulling politica strings for his personal political benefits.
“The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in a case continues to stagger with evidence. Earlier the defense noted late service of disclosures by the state prompting presiding magistrate to warn against deliberate delay of the case. Last week the state indicated a move to seek adjournment citing businesses of some witnesses. The defense successfully challenged the intentions.
“Come Tuesday, the state came to court armed with a recusal application against chief resident magistrate Simeon Mdeza. The conduct of ACB underscores monotones political persecution within the ruling party,” said the source.
Added another MP:”We have being following eagerly as events unfold. From the beginning when the house of Hon Chaponda was subjected to search without him being told earlier to the delays in a case. We want some speed trial so that he be vindicted,”
ACB were set to parade four witnesses in the case who include three ministers to testify against a former cabinet colleague.
Instead, State counsel Macmillan Chakhala brought the recusal application.
The State argues that the Magistrate made a comment when the defence and State met in his Chambers which commended the credibility of Transglobe Produce Export Limited.
One of the directors at Transglobe Produce Export Limited, Rashid Tayub, is Chaponda’s co-accused in the charges linked to the controversial procurement of maize from Zambia.
Lead counsel for the defence team, Tamando Chokhotho, observed the State application was erroneous as it has quoted a wrong Section and used “a wrong forum”, saying the appropriate one should have been Section 75 (1).
The State is proposing that the matter should be transferred to the High Court.
Mdeza adjourned the matter to Wednesday at 2.30PM to rule whether he recuses himself or not.
Jai Banda, a member of the defence legal team, recently said further delays of the proceedings is “unacceptable” as it is affecting political career of Chaponda and business of Rashid Tayub.
Chaponda is a Parliamentarian for Mulanje South West and also governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South.
The lawyer told the court that Chaponda’s “political career is at stake.”
On Tayub, Banda said: “The case has affected business of Transglobe both locally an internationally.”
The lawyer said the concern from his clients is “to have the matter finalised as quickly as possible because they would want to be vindicated.”
One of the defence alweyers Madalo Banda accused the State , represented by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), of “unjustifiable and inexcusable” delays.
State Counsel Macmillan Chakhala said the defence was just making “ a mountain out of a mound.”
Chaponda is answering three charges out of the four which include giving false information to the graft-busting body, influencing a public officer to misuse his position and possession of foreign currency.
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kodi munthu amaba chinthu chisanasowe? ALL enquiries said ACB should be investigated and not arrest him.Why are they failing to the conclude it? He will be paid handsomely
God will uplift Chaponda to glory and shame his enemies
I dont think Chaponda or DPP has any hand in this delay whatsover. If anything they would want this gone so that he bounces back in politics.My question is why is Nankhumwa being mentioned here? Bwinotu bwino che Nankhumwa.Tisamve kuti this articles is sponsored by you.Sikufuna kufuna u veep uku? timva.
Anthutu timangonena. Chaponda is one of the most hardworking people i have ever seen.Those of us who have worked with him can testify.Anthu amachita kukanika kweluka when he is around. NO one and not even haters like this uneducated Nakhumwa can take that away from him.
People like Nankhumwa are evil.DPP Should be more careful.Framing your fellow statesman like that? i pray for Chaponda everyday
Nankhumwa is a backstabber.He wants to look good and that’s why he fights his fellow comrades.Mulungu si munthu.I always knew he has evil intentions.
Nankhumwa is evil. He wants Chaponda, Kaliati and Chilima out so that he becomes more powerful to succeed Mutharika.He thinks its obvious because ndi mlomwe. Repent KONDWANI NANKHUMWA! YOU CANT BE PRESIDENT
komatu ili ndi dziko Nankhumwa adzayaluka oneday. he fought Kaliati poyamba kenako Chaponda nkupeka maizegate
Is indeed Kondwani Nankhumwa behind this story.He wanted Chaponda gone so that he should be the only heavyweight from the lomwe belt.He got the leader of house position in parliament and now he wants to be DPP vice president for the south.God should help us
I said it just yesterday that there is nankhumwa behind twist or delays in the case.believe u me chaponda will be freed and bounce back to front line politics,crash kondwani nankhumwa politically. Why is the state delaying the case when in public courts George is found guilty kale? Chaponda is not guilty,let the court prove him wrong. Kondwani nankhumwa you are just thousands of miles away from that seat of president.u are close to peter but far from his chair
Chaponda and Rashid Tayub of transglobe amabwera ku limbe ku office kwathu every week mwezi wa March this year.
Ngwakuba uyu iyaaaaaaaaaaaa
All inquiries pointed at him why courts are taking time to finish this bad man Chaponda.
The court does not rely on cheap propaganda.Facts and evidence matter. You can delay all you want but Chaponda will be free at last
Chibambo chankhanza chimenechi chi Chaponda .
Kuba kopanda nako manyazi uona boma likasintha tilanda zonse.
Munyatu, Kutenga chuma chake, sukulu yake ndi zonse zake nkupanga compare ndi mtundu wako onse simungfikepo. Chaponda Boma!!!!!!!!!!!! APM BOMA!!!!!!!!!! DPP BOMA!!!!!!!
Chaponda mbava mbava mbava mbava.
Then why are we not seeing concrete evidence then up until now?
Kwao ku Mulanje Chaponda samamufuna anthu moti nthawi ya campaign tithana naye ameneyu.
Kondwani nankhumwa sanabe nawo chimanga unaba wekha Chaponda mwikho too much.
LIES LIES LIES. He cant loose
Abambo achabe awa Mr Chaponda nkhzanza plus kuba kwambiri.
Abambo oyipa uyu Chaponda tazuzika naye ku ministry of agriculture kuno ku capital hill munthu wachabe koopsa.
Ukhaula galu iwe munthu oyipa ndi nkhope yomwe.
Liar! He was my boss at foreign affairs.Very hardworking human being and considerate
George Chaponda chimanga ku Admarc mbava yotheratu .
Unaba ndalama Zathu usaza pompano
Chaponda is a thief come to Nyambadwe and see what this evil man is doing with maizegate proceeds.
George Chaponda is interfering with Judiciary process. All maize gate commission of inquiry pointed at u George Chaponda.
Why do u have private meetings with Rashid Tayub transglobe boss.
Exactly the ZANU-PF scenario. Glad this is happening because the outcome is predictable.
Pitala will follow him. He already mentioned that he will allow to go alone.
Hon Chaponda should repent all his sins and turn back to God. Its not too late
Waba wekha usalire, waba wekha usalire. Chaponda is evil and should rot in jail
There is a remedy if it is true that there is a deliberate tactic to delay the case. Both legal representative can use relevant rules of the Supreme Court that the case be disposed of with due speed. The basis is to protect the accused from inordinate delay, if any, in the final disposition of his case. The procedure also tames a number of social ills that can be traced to court congestion and delay. The Bureau of Anti–Corruption is cautious in the manner in which it is pursuing the case. The wheels of justice are gradually moving at a reasonable pace but much to the annoyance of those having a vested interest in the case. They are not violative of Chaponda’s right to the trial. Meantime it is subjudice …
George Chaponda the commission of inquiry instituted by bwana APM and headed by Anastanzia Msosa found u guilty on all maize gate charges.
A very bad man Chaponda u misled Mutharika .
Leave our most loved Minister of local government Nankhumwa
Mr Chaponda u r evil and most DPP officials samakufunani munthu wachabe.
Mulekeni Kondwani Nankhumwa a very quiet minister and a performing minister in DPP
So Nankhumwa zamukhuza bwanji.? Please Mr Chaponda stop this stupid politics. Just admit that u are political dead and burried and that u can rise again. Dyera lanu lakuphetsani nokha
Ndichomwe chikutipanditsa kuganiza kuti he was behind Chaponda’s downfall that he is also behind this article .
kikikikikikiki so Mr Chaponda is underating the judiciary
Amangidwe garu ameneyu