Mphwiyo case committed to High Court: Malawi cashgate

Lilongwe’s Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotcha has committed the case of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo to the High Court.

Mphwiyo, who was arrested alongside his spouse by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday, has been charged with theft and money laundering amounting to K2.1 billion.

The Magistrate told the court  on Wednesday that his office has been served with a Certificate from Director of Public Prosecution that Mphwiyo case be committed to the High Court and should not make any judgment.

Magistrate Chiotcha made the announcement during the hearing of whether Paul Mphwiyo is granted bail or extend his police custody period pending ongoing investigations pertaining to his case as proposed by the state.

Before committing the matter to the High Court, Mphwiyo’s lawyer Shadreck Mhango argued against the decision, saying the former budget director has an appointment in South Africa at Milpark Hospital.

But State prosecutor  Pilirani Bangula, responded: “My lordship, the defence [counsel] is a lawyer and not medical personnel. He [the lawyer] is also saying his client needs to see a doctor, but he has not provided us with documents supporting the claims.”

Meanwhile, Mphwiyo lawyers are to make their submissions to High Court seeking bail.

His wife Thandie was granted bail on Tuesday after she was charged with theft and money laundering.

The court heard that in September 2013  she used a fictitious trust called Good Deeds Trust to buy a house title number Alimaude 12/263 from Geoffrey James Kayanula at K50 million knowingly or having reason to believe that the said price or money were proceeds of a crime.

She is also alleged to have forged a stamp used by government for revenue purposes to stamp the documents of the said Good Deeds Trust.

Bangula confirmed that the said trust was fictitious and operated illegally.