MCP official convicted in ‘cashgate’: Malawi third convict in the affair

Lilongwe Magistrate Court has found Malawi Congress Party (MCP) deputy director of youth Wyson Zinyemba Soko guilty of theft and money laundering for his involvement in the ongoing financial scandal dubbed “Cashgate” that saw millions of dollars looted from the impoverished country’s government.

Soko: Found guilty and convicted of 'cashgate' affair
Soko: Found guilty and convicted of ‘cashgate’ affair

Soko becomes the third person to be convicted in many Cashgate cases currently before the courts.

Earlier this year a secretary in Malawi’s tourism department Teresa Namathanga Senzani was sentenced to three years in jail. And on Tuesday Lilongwe Magistrate Court sentenced Victor Sithole, 28 to nine years imprisonment with hard labour.

He was an accounts assistant in the Malawian government in 2013 when he was found with about $66 000 in cash in American, South African and Malawian currency.

Making a determination on MCP’s Soko, Lilongwe senior resident magistrate Patrick Chirwa said the State had proven beyond reasonable doubt that he  had in his possession K40.9 million ($90 000) knowing the funds were proceeds from crime.

The court heard that Soko was paid K40.9 million through his company Watipaso General Dealers from the Ministry of Tourism vote when the company had no contract with government, as testified by various government officials during trial.

“The accused participated actively in defrauding government,” noted Chirwa.

Chirwa also trashed Soko’s assertions during his testimony that a Godfrey Banda used his company and the money belonged to Banda because he gave “illogical and emotional” answers when cross-examined on the particulars of the Banda.

“I found the statements very strange and entirely unbelievable,” Chirwa said.

The Magistrate said the state had successfully prosecuted the case to prove the guilt of Soko “beyond reasonable doubt.”

“On the offence of money launder, the court finds Wyson Zinyemba Soko guilty as charged and convicts him accordingly,” Chirwa ruled.

Soko’s lawyer Henry Kadzakumanja asked for ample time to prepare mitigation submission before sentencing.

The court adjourned to Friday for mitigation factors.

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tiziona
tiziona
9 years ago

amangidwe basi,chilungamochidziwike.okhuzidwaaliyese akayakhe

Ruyondo Gold
Ruyondo Gold
9 years ago

the day the reach the big fish is when people Malawi will know that justice is being done

innocent
innocent
9 years ago

MCP you call this a Youth Director – at that age with this character -surely this party will never change.

sakhwi
sakhwi
9 years ago

Soko, kamwangala add business advertising agency (chingoli) anthuwa akudziwapo kanthu mbava zapachibale izi.

Naganza
Naganza
9 years ago

WHEN DDP POLITICIAN WILL BE CONVICTED? WHY ONLY THOSE WHO ARE NOT MEMBER OF THE RULING PARTY CONVICTED? CASH GATE STARTED LONG BEFORE PP, IT JUST CONTINUED AND BECAME EXCLARATED DURING PP/BANDA. IT BECAUSE A MAFIA. 92 BILLION IS ALSO CASH GATE. WHER DID BINGU GOT THE MONEY TO HAVE THE MANSIONS AND GRAVE HOUSES AND OTHER HOUSES ABROAD? THE MAN HAD ONE HOUSE IN AREA 47 AND A MINI BUS CALLED BINETH. COME ON MALAWIANS LET FACE REALITY OF THIS STEALING ANSD MAKING THIS NATION POORER AND POORER. THESE PEOPLE ARE EVIL. THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED BY ALL… Read more »

Vyapasi
Vyapasi
9 years ago

So why waste so much time denying wrong doing! I pray the court should not be lenient with this stupid man. He should be punished severely!!!

JAILOS MKOMAKUMBUYO
9 years ago

Wina alikuno kkkkkkkkk

Kabuthu-dowa boy
9 years ago

Hope all goes well.amangidwe basi.they stole government 4 their gains.tiyenazo aboma

joseph malunga
9 years ago

kkkkkkkkkk mcp kuba asawaine

mr chimbwititi
mr chimbwititi
9 years ago

iwe kabwiratu talakhula.koma umafuna anakakhala wa dpp ndiye kukamwa m
beeee!

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