Judge fails to turn up for Malawi army cashgate case due to lack of money

Judge Redson Kapindu of the High Court on Wednesday failed to turn up for a high profile Malawi Defense Force (MDF) cashgate case involving former commander of the Malawi Army Henry Odillo because judiciary had not funded the hearing of the case.

Judiciary spokesperson Mlenga Mvula said Judge Kapindu, who is a resident judge in Zomba, needed money for transport and accommodation for the case in Lilongwe.

Odillo, his second in command during the Joyce Banda administration between 2012 and 2013 and three others are accused of corruption and abuse of office, theft of public money amounting to K5 billion, a staggering figure in Malawi’s poor economy.

They are accused, in some instances, of making payments for arms not delivered to the MDF warehouses.

Mvula said the Judiciary is making arrangements to fund the case.

“We have to part with transport, accommodation and other expenses. Once this is done, the case will resume,” said Mvula.

One of the suspects in the case, Alexander Kambewa Banda will have his case heard in South Africa where he is based.

The case was last heard in the court in November.