Malawi police officer testifies he pocketed K20,000 to lead suspected Tanzania spies to Kayerekera mine
The case involved the eight Tanzanian nationals on criminal trespass has changed its tune as it has been revealed that the group were led to Kayerekera Uranium Mine in Karonga by a security personnel from the Malawi Police Services after he pocked K20,000 .
Police arrested the eight on December 20 last year around Kayuni Village near the suspended mine in the north-western hills of the shoreline district.
They were accused of criminal trespass which is contrary to Section 314 of the Penal Code
After appearing before the Mzuzu magistrate court on Monday and Tuesday, the state second witness Inspector Thokozani Chamveka confess before the court that he was among the Malawians who led the group to the mine site.
“The group asked me to lead them to Kayerekera. I didn’t pretend as a security officer after being instructed by the deputy director in the department of criminal investigation Bob Mtenkama,” said Chamveka.
He was testifying before Chief Resident Magistrate Texious Masoamphambe.
According to him, the group asked him different questions which include when the mine was opened, where is the uranium sold and what is the use of the uranium among others.
“They gave me K20, 000 out of K40, 000 that they promised me after escorting them. We went there through the hired vehicle that had three Malawians,” he explained.
Deo Gama who is the forth state witness said the group asked him to refer them to an organization that deals with mine issues in the district to led them to Kayerekera mine site.
“I told them that one of the group that deals with mine issues was Karonga business community. But after failing to negotiate with the organization’s leader the group then decided to go with anyone who have knowledge with the mine site,” said Gama
Lawyer for the defense Nicely Msowoya, who delayed for an afternoon session, told the court that his clients did not committ any crime.
“My Lord according to the area my clients were arrested, I believe they did not commit a criminal trespass crime because it was far from the Kayerekera mine site. Apart from that, the second state witness has confess here that he was the one telling the police that they were not going to the mine site but Juma village after being apprehended,” argued Msowoya.
State prosecutor Happy Kumwenda paraded another witness Tort Kumwenda a driver of the minibus registration number KA 7555 which transported the Tanzanoa,
The case has since bee adjourned the case to 22 and 23 February this year in Mzuzu.
The suspects include Walasa Mwasangu, 30, Binto Materinus, 32, Ashura Yasiri, 63, Christian Msoli, 38, Layinali Kumba, 47, Maliyu Mkobe, Gilbert Mahumdi, 32, and Martin Jodomusole, 25.
Tanzanian’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, East African and International Cooperation Augustine Mahiga said his government had instituted an inquiry into the matter.
But Malawi government said yhe matter will not be handled by diplomatic channels but rather allow a due process of the court.
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Palibe nkani apa, just unnecessary drama.
Governments spy on its other. Even friendly governments do that and its normal. If Malawi does not do on its neighbours then I would question its intelligence especially when there are rumours of war between govts. Nikolasi can testify that. When spies are caught the law of that country takes its course.
I am the brother of one of whom you call “spies”. Your government has been unfair to these innocent Tanzanians. The Malawian government is trying to establish unfounded offences. It was spying now is criminal trespass and reconnaissance.
I cannot help but thank Malawi Government for making it clear that this issue should not be handled diplomatically. Those
eight foreign nationals were up to something unsavourly in Malawi. What is the use of uranium ? Really? The offence should
be amended where necessary to include spying for a foreign government, and the law should take its course.