Kasambara pokes holes in Mphwiyo testimony over ‘hot’ car
The High Court in Lilongwe on Thursday afternoon ordered gun-shot survivor former budget director Paul Mphwiyo to help the state to trace a Toyota Fortuner registration ZA 7171 .
The vehicle was the center of the cross-examination the whole day since it was the one Mphwiyo used the night he was shot, and was damaged in the process.
In the morning, Mphwiyo told the court that the said vehicle, which belonged to a trust in which his wife is a trustee, was sold after the
incidence.
After lawyer Wapona Kita asked him if he knew that they destroyed the evidence, Mphwiyo responded: “Your Lord, I was also advised by the state
that removing the vehicle from position I parked that night was wrong since it could have been done after the court’s direction. I am sorry
for that anomaly.”
Lawyer Ralph Kasambara, Pika Manondo and his elder brother Dauka, Robert Kadzuwa and Macdonald Kumwembe have pleaded not guilty to charges of allegedly conspiring and attempting to kill Mphwiyo.
In the afternoon when Kasambara asked Mphwiyo if he was aware that the vehicle in question was stolen outside the country and that it was sold after they realised that it was on the wanted list of the International Police (Interpol), Mphwiyo denied the notion.
“I have never seen the vehicles registration book of the vehicle, I did not clear it as I am not a clearing agent but an economist;” said
Mphwiyo who also said he was using the car for the first time.
However, Kasambara countered that according to his investigations at the road traffic directorate, the said vehicle is not registered with the institution.
He sldo quizzed Mphwiyo: ” Is this not the same vehicle that you used to collect cash from Lutepo at Ufulu Gardens this other day?”
Kasambara then applied to the court for the state to trace the vehicle and its registration papers as they are crucial in the case
Judge Michael Ntambo then ordered Mphwiyo to help the state in tracing the vehicle and documents.
The case has been adjourned to Friday morning when Kasambara will continue cross examining Mphwiyo, who is the second prosecution witness.
The shooting of Mphwiyo in September 2013 opened a Pandora box of the massive looting of public resources dubbed “cashgate.”
Mphwiyo who was shot as he drove into his Area 43 home in Lilongwe— said he was receiving death threats prior to his fate.
The 38-year-old former budget chief claims he was receiving phones threatening his life in connection with his tough public finance and economic management measures that that have closed pilfering loopholes at Capital Hill.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :