Macra official Chandiya’ng’ana granted court bail: Itaye accused of meddling
Blantyre Senior Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba on Wednesday granted bail to former procurement officer of the scandal riddled Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (Macra), Iton Chandiyang’ana, arrested by Fiscal Police on allegations of contravening the Communications Act registered against him.
His lawyer Chancy Gondwe asked the court to grant bail, saying he was willing to be bonded with conditions such as surrendering his travel documents and that the charge against him is minor.
Magistrate Nyimba released Chandiyang’ana on bail but imposed consitions that he pay K50 000 s bail bond to the court, provide on reliable and traceable surety worth K50 000 and to the Southern Region Police fortnightly on Wednesday.
Nyimba pointed out that the cse was a misdemeanor and that Police should have granted the bail after questioning him.
But Nyasa Times understands that Macra boss Godfrey Itaye has been meddling in the case and was pressing police to hold on the official.
Southern Region police prosecutor Charles Panyani agreed that such a minor case should not have been referred to court for bail as police could have simply granted it.
Panyani, however, could not comment on Itaye’s pressure to hold on Chandinyang’ana
Nyasa Times reported that Chandiyan’gana was arrested on Monday on allegations that he leaked information that was not meant for public consumption.
Last week Nyasa Times reported that Macra Bossa Godfrey Itaye was embroidered in dubious contracts where he awarded millions of kwachas worthy of contracts to his parents in-laws.
Macra boss is also involved in a dubious K135million developmental calendars contract with his right handyman Joseph Ngalawa, Procurement Specialist.
Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) is yet to act on these dubious dealings but Macra sources confirmed ACB officials visited regulators offices prior to Chandiyang’ana arrest.
The arrest is a surprise as those who committed the crimes are ordering arrests.
Meanwhile, Macra boss on Friday suspended Human Resources Manager Dalitso Jumbe, who is alleged to have warned Chandiyang’ana of impending arrest.
Inisders say Macra is being run like a personal estate. A whole Human Resources Manager being suspended without any hearing.
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