MCP’s Dzinyemba Soko walks free after appeal in Cashgate conviction: Theft sentence set aside

Former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) deputy director of youth Wyson Dzinyemba Soko  who was convicted  and has been serving a  seven years imprisonment with hard labour for the theft and money laundering K40 million (US$85 471) from government in 2015 will walk free after the High Court in Lilongwe overturned the Cashgate conviction and sentencing for theft.

Lilongwe Senior resident magistrate Patrick Chirwa sentenced Soko to three and half years on the first count of theft and four years on the second count of money laundering after being found guilty of siphoning K40.9 million from Ministry of Tourism through his Wymbaso General Dealers .

Soko through his lawyer Robert Kadzakumanja appealed the case.

In her ruling on Tuesday, Judge Esmie Chombo set aside the sentence for theft but maintained the conviction for money laundering.

Soko will be freed as he had served on third of his sentence and had demonstrated good behaviour he would be released as all procedures had been followed.

His lawyer said  Sectio 107 (i) of the Prison Act provides for one third remission of sentence based on good behaviour, among other conditions.

“A convicted prisoner nuder sentence of imprisonment for a period of more than one month, other than a prisoner sentenced for life, may  earn by a satisfactory industry and good conduct remission of one third of his sentence,” the section states.

Soko was a third convict to get a prison sentence since the commencement of prosecution of Cash gate cases.

Meanwhile, court now is processing papers to release Soko.

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