JB’s sister, PP officials acquitted: ‘Arrest was politically motivated DPP-style’

Cecilia Kumpukwe, sister to former president and People’s Party founder Joyce Banda, and other People’s Party (PP),  Ackson Kalaile Banda, Stella Assani and Yesaya Mkawala have been acquitted by the court .

PP supporters dancing outside the court as Kumpukwe walks past them

The State charged the PP officials with two counts of making a false document contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code and publishing false news likely to cause fear and alarm among members of the Republic of Malawi, which is in contravention of Section 60 (1) of the Penal Code.

They were arrested in connection to a resignation letter purportedly written by Vice President Saulos Chilima.

But they argued the arrests were politically motivated and accused a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)  for using the police as a tool for harassing and silencing the opposition.

Their  lawyers Bright Theu, Nicely Msowoya and Chimwemwe Sikwese have been arguing that the State lacked seriousness to prosecute the matter which had no evidence at all.

Senior resident magistrate (SRM) Chisomo Msokera in Lilongwe has acquitted the accused for lack of prosecution interest to commence trial.

Former President Joyce Banda  described the arrest as a political witch-hunt aimed at harassing her and her family.

Reacting to the acquittal, Kumpukwe said she will have to discuss with her lawyers on thw way forward, saying a police raid at her residence and Assani’s houses led to confiscation of computers and mobile phones purportedly used in authoring the said document.

“It was not easy for me, friend and immediate family members. Life almost came to a standstill as I could not travel since my passport was seized. My reputation has been damaged, So it feels good to be exonated,” she told Times Radio.

She is likely going to claim compensation for wrongful imprisonment to be passed on to taxpayers.

“People’s perception towards me completely changed, I was defamed, anytime someone googles my name, it pops up in connection to the fabrication  so it was bad,” she said.

Kalaile Banda also said he would seek compensation,

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GAMALIELE
GAMALIELE
6 years ago

This shows that the rule of LAW is being followed . It shows that ACB is truelly independent. It shows APM do not interfere with ACB nor courts. It shows APM is truelly democratic. I am keeping a powerful vote for APM in 2019

Toka
Toka
6 years ago

Misonkho yathu koma ndiye ikudyedwa shaaaa. Apa zinanso zikupita ndithu.

haward.maloni@yahoo.com
6 years ago

Dpp aaa yandikhumudwitsa ndipo amene mudzaponye vote yanu pa anthu awa dziwani kuti zaka five tidzakhalanso akapolo ndipo tidzalira ndi kukuta mano ndithu. Alibe chikondi a Dpp zonsezi akuchita kukonza dala kungapatsanapo mpata ena adye taxpayers yathu basi

Simon mvahe
Simon mvahe
6 years ago

A pitala mukuonongesa ndalama/misonkho yathu kutereku onsewo apangidwa acquitted afunanso chipupita misoziii .shaaaaaaa sima billion enanso awaaaa ,koma guys azipita uyu boma lamukuliradi… Try and error system

Achimidzimidzi
Achimidzimidzi
6 years ago

Another K70bn claim from govt.

Koma Malawi kaya

Dun Kandaya
Dun Kandaya
6 years ago
Reply to  Achimidzimidzi

2019 DPP wakumoto basi tizaone zina

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