Kasambara says charges ‘vague’: Pika questions ‘selective’ justice

Former Malawi Justice Minister Raphael Kasambara, who is currently in custody for money laundering charges, has again laughed off the charge, saying  its “vague”.

On his arrest, Kasambara, who was on bail on alleged attempted murder of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo, downplayed the allegations of his offence, saying “It’s a joke of a charge.”

And on Wednesday when State formally charged him in court, Kasambara a prominent lawyer himself, said there charges were murky.

Kasambara and Manondo in court being interviewed by reporters.- Photo credit -Oracle
Kasambara and Manondo in court being interviewed by reporters.- Photo credit -Oracle

“Have seen vague charges but this one about MK55 million beats them all,” said Kasambara.

“State refuses to disclose whether it was cheque or cash; does not say where the money came from. It simply states money suspected to be stolen,” he said of the charges.

Kasambara is being charged with money laundering contrary to Section 35 of the Money Laundering Act.

Particulars of the offence say that on July 26 last year, a cheque (number 000304) amounting to K55 000 000 from International Procurement System (IPS) was deposited into account number 021000009811 of Ralph and Arnolds; NedBank City Centre Lilongwe suspected to be stolen money.

However, Kasambara said the transaction was done when he was a Cabinet minister and was no longer associated with the law firm in question.

The cheque is said to have belonged to Pika Manondo, who wanted to buy a house and had contacted Ralph and Arnolds to assist him.

Manondo is also charged with the shooting if Mphwiyo.

He was brought from Kasungu prison where he is on remand to join Kasambara in the dock in Lilongwe.

Manondo took time off court recess to speak to a battery of journalists and accused the police of framing him under frivolous grounds.

He particularly picked Deputy Inspector General of Malawi Police Nelson Bophani and Director of Public Prosecution Bruno Kalemba, for what he called selective prosecution.

“They are selecting who to prosecute or is it persecute while shielding many key players in the cashgate scandal. Infact some are getting VIP treatment when they are supposed to be answering charges in cashgate corruption,” he said.

Manondo challenged that even if he “rots in jail” he will not succumb to pressure of Bophani and Kalemba, saying he is prepared to “reveal” the cashgate details and the big wigs involvement.

He said selective justice applied in the cashgate case is injustice to Malawians who want answers and lost billons recovered yet culprits continue to be off the hook.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
98 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Read previous post:
Cashgate forensic audit report ready Feb. 14

Malawi government has indicated that a report of the preliminary forensic audit into the loss of billions of taxpayers’ money...

Close