I conspired with Pika to kill Mphwiyo, witness tells court : Malawi cashgate

Sate witness Charles Chalunda has clarified in court that the person he had been conspiring with to kill former Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo was Pika Manondo and not businessperson-cum-politician Osward Lutepo.

Chalunda (left covered his face) and Chilinda: After court appearance
Chalunda (left covered his face) and Chilinda: After court appearance

This was after Chalunda had been persuaded to testify by defence lawyer John-Gift Mwakhwawa and Enock Chibwana from the prosecution team when the court sat in camera on Wednesday.

He initially refused to testify under oath in the High Court in Lilongwe, arguing that he feared to be charged of perjury, a charge he was earlier convicted of at Zomba Magistrate’s Court.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mary Kachale asked Chalunda if he knew one-by-one the suspects including former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ralph Kasambara, Pika Manondo, Dauka Manondo, Macdonald Kumwembe and Robert Kadzuwa.

Chalunda responded: “I have never seen them.”

The top prosecutor told Chalunda that he is being “ threatened” by the suspects, adding: “That is why you are now disowning the people that you know. You even mentioned Ralph Kasambara as the one who was threatening you and Pika Manondo as the one you were dealing with.”

Kachale charged:“I am insisting that witnesses are being threatened and I can prove that with a recording which we have in our possession, I want to see if Chalunda will disown his own voice.”

The Director of Public Prosecution produced photocopied affidavits and selected a sentence which was purportedly written by Chalunda to Goba Chipeta as his lawyer to read to the court.

“Affidavit imene ndinapeleka yoyamba siidali yolondola. [The first affidavit I submitted was incorrect],” read Chalunda.

Chalunda testified that it was correct affidavit when he was made to re-read it, sayin he was happy with it.

“I don’t know where all this is coming from! I think I meant to omit the ‘si’ [not]. I don’t know what is happening. I did not write,” he said.

According to the affidavit, one of the accused, Pika Manondo, allegedly gave Chalunda money on two occasions amounting to almost K2 million as part payment to kill Mphwiyo.

Mphwiyo’s shooting on September 13, 2013 outside his house in Lilongwe opened a can of worms that led to the revelation of Cashgate, in which public officers, politicians and businesspersons looted billions of taxpayers money.

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Bomanile
Bomanile
8 years ago

Witnesses can change statements for several reasons including threats from suspects

wanyau
wanyau
8 years ago

I dont c ene rzon to respect a thief like kasambara

Mendulo
Mendulo
8 years ago

When witnesses start changing their statements, they tend to lose their credibility

Geofrey
Geofrey
8 years ago

Kasambara hmmm am sure he might tell us the truth as he needs to be exorcised with all his evil spirits he posessed!

Zebron h banda
Zebron h banda
8 years ago

Dream on!the courts want facts to prove beyond reasonable doiubt that the accused did,indeed,conspire to kill mphwiyo and not circus acts.Mafia,intimidation of witness….blah blah,what what,,Kachale?If you can’t stand the heat,stay out of the kitchen.yoiu chose the wrong career,sister.It can get even hotter!Kasambala is noit your average pal,ndi mphumphi.

Kulibe kantu
Kulibe kantu
8 years ago

Is the person Chalunda or Chilinda?

Cage Banda
Cage Banda
8 years ago

Iwunikidwenso bo nkhaniyi.

Masoambeta
Masoambeta
8 years ago

Lawyers from the same third world university, taught by same lecturers. Look outside your box. Such cases need outside prosecutors. How can Ralph Kasambara and Goba Chipeta and Enock Chibwana differ in any opinion even if it meant life and death?? The guys are conniving before going to court. This is a staged drama to fool you all. How can a legal system fail apply itself in such a blatant case??
Malawi is surely a failed state.

Smoke@madika.com
8 years ago

Alowe Basi

Dennis kamala
Dennis kamala
8 years ago

Athuwa anatola chikwama koma samadziwa zoti adzagwidwa

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