Lutepo now faces tax evasion charges

Public tax collector, Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) obtained an arrest warrant for businessman Oswald Lutepo, a prime suspect in the plundering of public funds dubbed cashgate scandal for tax evasion.

Lutepo (L) with his first  lawyer when he was arrested for cashgate Jai Banda
Lutepo (L) with his first lawyer when he was arrested for cashgate Jai Banda

Lutepo was earmarked for arrest on Friday together with former Ministry Finance Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo, businessmen Shiraz Ferreira and Nelson Johannes Kauwa.  He was not arrested but the three were picked on tax evasion charges.

MRA suspects an evading tax of about K1.8 billion (about $3.6m) from 2011 to 2014. The alleged evasion relates to non-payment of value-added tax (VAT) and income tax.

Lutepo said he will give details in how “tax has been embezzled and continue to be embezzled, I know the process and I am ready to disclose.”

The chief cashgate suspect told a Zodiak Broadcasting Station that he is “in hiding” for fear of his life after admitting wrongdoing in the cashgate and then implicating former president Joyce Banda as the “main beneficiary”, claiming he was giving her some of his stolen money for political campaign.

The former president dismissed the allegation as “false” and “malicious.”

MRA sources said Lutepo faces arrest.

“We are interested in questioning him,” said an investigator at the public tax collector.

MRA working jointly with Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Financial Intelligence Unit are following the leads in the billions paid by Malawi Defence Force through cashgate tainted contracts.

Two companies, International Procurement Services and OG Construction, owned by Lutepo pocketed $6.2-million. Lutepo is being tried by the high court on charges of laundering, theft and attempted murder.

Gun-shot survivor Mphwiyo, Ferreira and Kauwa were arrested on Friday and remained in police custody at the time of posting this story.

Ferreira trade as SF International while Kauwa is the co-owner of Thuso Group with Alexander Banda, according to Steven Kapoloma, MRA Deputy Director Corporate Affairs.

Kapoloma said they could not divulge specific information as investigations were continuing.

“The accused persons will appear in court soon to answer criminal charges,” said Kapoloma.

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Tonde
9 years ago

Pepani Yehova chifukwa anthu padziko lapansi lino tataya chilungamo yet Munatilenga Ndinu Tate

bristone mabichi
bristone mabichi
9 years ago

It is the same coin, only that we are looking on the other side. DPP, remove D, you remain with PP. UDF begot DPP and DPP begot PP. Sorry, there is nothing to out of this ssaga.

francis chitsulo
francis chitsulo
9 years ago

zomvesa chisoni malo moti makobili agwile ntchito yake alowa matumba mwa anthu.

Kd
Kd
9 years ago

Komanso paja pali k92bn imene anamangila casablanca, mpumulo wa bata, palinso k1.7bn imene tcheya samayankha zomveka bwino, ndiye tisayiwale zonsezi

MMALAWI
MMALAWI
9 years ago

amalawi anzanga lets jst thnk GOD 4 lutepo whether h z a fool or watever nem mumpatse the fact z jb z th master of all evil gve hm chance to prove jb wrong gwengwe z building a very beatiful lodge kusalima kumalimba u av to 4low hm up again.mallan mtonga pin them.

mwika
mwika
9 years ago

Ooodi ukooooo. Amayi adutseko atatengana ndi onse akuba. Koma mlandu wa a cheya uli pati?

Jabulosi
9 years ago

LUTEPO STARTED STEALING WITH LATE BINGU IN 2005 AND THROUGH LUTEPO BINGU MADE MK62 BILLION BEFORE GOD,S CALL, TO STOP THE LOOTING. LUTEPO BEFRIENDED PP TO CONTINUE LOOTING NOT KNOWING JB WAS DIFFERENT FROM BINGU!!!! THIS LED TO DISCLOSURE OF CASHGATE AND LUTEPO’S ARREST. THIS IS THE CORRECT CHRONOLOGY OF LUTEPO’S DOWNFALL AND SUFFERING. THE MAN DESERVES TO LOT IN PRISON AS HE IS INHUMAN (BEAST)!!!!!! DPP IS TRYING HARD TO CONCEAL BINGU’S PLUNDER WITH LUTEPO AS APM AND OTHER DPP GURUS ALSO BENEFITTED!!!!

patriot
patriot
9 years ago

No matter what, JB will also pay. It’s a question of time. She may disown Lutepo and his claims for as long as she cares, hiding in the comfort of the US of A, but, the fact is she will pay. Too many people have died, their corpses rotting in mortuaries (torturing us even in death) and JB could think she can get away with this!! And the same may be said about Peter and his DPP. They have already started sending those with HIV/AIDS to their early graves by stealing the money meant to help them live longer, adding… Read more »

pearson sadala
9 years ago

So 2011 Joyce Banfa told,him to evade,tax? Sinanga chili chose is,Joyce Nanda amd he says president ndi mumthu woopsa hopefully JB,was then as well.

Mbowe Mulambia
9 years ago

@Wagalusa naweso zikuoneka kuti ndiwe mbava why hiding your name only thieves hids his or her real name

KONDWANI
9 years ago

KOMA LUTEPO NDIWOSOKONEZA PENAPALIPONSE,AMENEYU WAKUNDENDE BASI

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