Lawyer dumps Shayona sexual harassment victim: Says matter was sorted with K20 million ransom

A sexual harassment victim who was a house keeper to an Indian national in Lilongwe has parted ways with his lawyer after the lawyer said the issue of the sexual harassment was settled out of court and the victim allegedly received K20 million.

The man, who earlier told the media that the Indian national forced him to suck his private parts, said the issue was never settled out of court and he never received the money.

The sexual harassment survivor (name withheld) has also disassociated himself from claims made by his former lawyer Innocent Tepeka that he appointed him as his legal representative to seek compensation from his former employer.

The Lilongwe-based man is alleged to have been sexually abused by an Indian national Jayesh Kumar Dalwad who was then working as assistant manager at Shayona Cement Corporation at Kanengo office in Lilongwe.

The accused has reportedly left the country.

Last Wednesday, Tepeka was quoted by claiming the issue was thrashed out and resolved to the satisfaction of both parties after the man received his compensation package.

But the man said he was surprised with Tepeka’s claims that the matter was settled when he only met him once and nothing was agreed.

According to communication dated April 12, 2024 and signed by Tepeka, the lawyer backtracked on his earlier claims that the matter was already settled.

He indicated in the letter of undertaking a decisive meeting had been arranged between the man and Shayona Cement Corporation on Saturday April 13, 2024.

“If after the meeting a settlement is agreed and how much the same should be, and it should be given to… [the man] to approve; If… [the man]does not approve, then he should proceed to seek legal services from another lawyer to proceed with the matter,” reads part of the letter.

According to the letter, feedback was supposed to be given to the man by close of business on April 13, 2024, which never came.

But when contacted for his comment Tepeka insisted in a WhatsApp response he represented the man but was now no longer representing him.

“Following our meeting Saturday with his representatives, it was resolved that I should no longer continue representing the alleged person.

‘We terminated our client/lawyer agreement and also all agreements entered with third parties on his behalf are a nullity.

“So would you kindly talk to his new lawyers as I am no longer in any position to comment on his behalf,” Tepeka said.