Lawyer Jai tells court Chaponda’s political career at stake over corruption-related charges
Lawyer representing former minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda has expressed his desire for a speedy trial, saying the corruption-related case of the controversial procurement of maize from Zambia should be finalised with no further postponements.
The State on asked for the adjournment, citing that some of its prosecution witnesses were members of parliament (MPs) who were currently meeting in Lilongwe while some was in Indian and would only be available in December.
But Jai Banda, a member of the defence legal team, said further delays of the proceedings is “unacceptable” as it is affecting political career of Chaponda and business of Rashid Tayub.
Chaponda is a Parliamentarian for Mulanje South West and also governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South.
The lawyer told the court that Chaponda’s “political career is at stake.”
On Tayub, Banda said: “The case has affected business of Transglobe both locally an internationally.”
The lawyer said the concern from his clients is “to have the matter finalised as quickly as possible because they would want to be vindicated.”
One of the defence alweyers Madalo Banda accused the State , represented by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), of “unjustifiable and inexcusable” delays.
State Counsel Macmillan Chakhala said the defence was just making “ a mountain out of a mound.”
Chaponda is answering three charges out of the four which include giving false information to the graft-busting body, influencing a public officer to misuse his position and possession of foreign currency.
Tayub of Transglobe Produce Export Limited is answering one of the charges which is persuading a public officer to misuse his position.
The Bureau arrested Chaponda, Rashid Tayub and Grace Mijiga Mhango for their involvement in the procurement of maize from Zambia by Admarc.
The ACB had received a complaint alleging that procurement procedures were not followed in the maize deal.
The graft bursting body netted the three in July this year after establishing that offences were committed in the maize procurement deal.
While Mijiga Mhango was charged with forgery, contrary to Section 351of the Penal Code.
Chaponda and Tayub pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution has indicated it would parade 22 witnesses to testify in the case.
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Tell Jai that malawians are tired of corrupt politicians like Chaponda!!!!
Of course the political career is in doubts. This is malawi. Chaponda is guilty until proven not guilty by the competent court of law. He will come out stronger and crash nankhumwa and others
Chaponda usatinyase ndikuba kwakoko ,ndalamazo usamale usathere malawyerwo chifukwa chako palibe akubera amenewo mulanduwo suwina .samala ndalama zakubazo
Did he not know that his political carrier was at stake when he was refusing to go to court in Mzuzu?
this is the problem with DPP and Chaponda. at the age of of 75 he thinks he owes us a career in politics. akulu retirement munapanga kuntchito kwina kuja means you are now useless as an employee coz of your age. do us a favour and never return to politics. kodi mukapanga retire kwinako does it mean basi mutibeleso ndalama zathu through politics? tawona kale from the president that retirees have nothing useful to offer to the country. achinyamata tilipo ambili and agalu inu go and enjoy time with your great great grand children
Political career at stake!!!???? Zopusa basi. Chapondayo m’mene ankabamo sankadziwa kuti he is putting his political career at stake?
Mr Jai Banda here is peace of advice for you to tell Chaponda. “Tell him to forget his so called political career, Period!”
Jai Banda tell Chaponda to go to hell