Joyce Banda refuses to testify as defence witness in Mphwiyo shooting case

Malawi’s immediate past president Joyce Banda will not testify in as defence witness in connection with the shooting of budget director Paul Mphwiyo as trial resumes this Thursday at High Court in Lilongwe, her aide has said.

Joyce Banda:  Will not testify as defence witness
Joyce Banda: Will not testify as defence witness

The accused will start entering defence and parading their witnesses after the court ruled that former Justice Minister Raphael Kasambara, Pika Manondo and McDonald Kumwembe have a case to answer on the attempted assassination of Mphwiyo.

Judge Michael Mtambo ruled that the evidence tendered by the state had proved a prima facie case against the accused persons.

Mtambo, however, acquitted three other suspects Oswald Lutepo, Dauka Manondo and Robert Kadzuwa of conspiracy to commit murder charges saying the prosecution team did not present sufficient evidence implicating the accused persons.

The former Malawi leader and founder of People’s Party (PP), is appearing on the list of witnesses who might be called to testify.

Kasambara is on record telling Lilongwe Magistrate Court that he would want Banda, former State House official Cecilia Kumpukwe (a sister to former president Banda), former Minister of Information Brown Mpinganjira and politician Hophmally Makande (his pal) to testify in court as witness.

Banda is on record to have said she knows the people who shot Mphwiyo.
One of the defense lawyers, Wapona Kita said in Daily Times:” I can confirm that indeed Joyce Banda is one of the witnesses that we may parade. “

He however said the list is tentative and might be amended depending on the progress of the case.

But Banda’s Personal Assistant Andekuche Chanthunya said the former president is not surprised with the plan.

“That’s not new. Ralph Kasambara put her name on the list when he disclosed his witness list. So, our position is the same as we gave at that time. She will not testify,” the papers quote Chanthunya as saying.

Another lawyer Gift Mwankhwawa, who is representing one of the suspects Pika Manondo, said if Banda will be paraded as witness in court, then he would also want to ask her some questions in connection with the sentiments she made at a rally at Lunzu in Blantyre about Mphwiyo’s shooters.

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Majiga
9 years ago

Just wait and see what will happen

Aliphee
9 years ago

she ruled Malawi thats a fact when we had no forex,fuel,name it

sh ebrahim isa
sh ebrahim isa
9 years ago

Lets wait and see.

Ofewa
9 years ago

Anafa anafa basi bingu nankhumwa aziona ukakwera mutengo usati kulibe mamme

john westonia
9 years ago
Reply to  Ofewa

i weso udzafa wamv?

hey
hey
9 years ago

Koma anthu azachita mapwando (parties) the day Joyce will be facing Kasambara face to face! KKKKKKKKKKKk

Let Us Pray
Let Us Pray
9 years ago

Refuse the more Mama and let them get more and more confused.

aurora
aurora
9 years ago

MURDERER, MURDERER……………

fomboni al hilal
fomboni al hilal
9 years ago

JB sanatchule dzina la munthu komanso amadziwa kuti amene anachita zimene zija anapanga chifukwa cha cash gate. Mukanena zoti azibwerako bwanji simunamuitanitse uyu wa Green card nthawi yomwe anali kunja ija?

Joice wa Jopice
9 years ago

I will keep on saying that Joice Banda is in deep trouble but time will tell. Ralph Kasambara and PP gurus of 2012 made a grave mistake to mislead her that included cashgate. PP is now dead as of now possibly people like Ken Msonda will not agree.

Akatswiri
Akatswiri
9 years ago

If the former President refused to come to court to give evidence in court the best way is to serve her with subpoena.

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