‘Mr Entertainer’ Jai Banda cleared by Police on stolen music equipment
Malawi Police have formerly cleared long time music promoter and private practising lawyer, Jai Banda on the issue of buying French Culture Centre (FCC) stolen equipment.
Banda was charged with receiving stolen property in November 2012 after the law enforcers confiscated from him sound craft mixer and power supply cables.
However, according to a letter from Police Officer in-charge in Lilongwe, entitled, ‘Re-receiving stolen property-LB\CR\154\10\2012’,it states that after thoroughly going through the evidence contained in the docket Banda did not know that the items is issue were stolen.
“Actually the suspect took up steps to check the origin of the equipment by drawing an agreement for sale between the two of them which contained a clause or declaration that the sound mixer is not stolen and that the seller (Wiizma Mamiiha) would prospect him from any claim by a third party,” reads the letter signed by the Officer in Charge Prosecutions Brach, H.K. Mkandawire.
The letter went on to stress that the requirement for the case of receiving stolen property to be satisfied is knowledge on the part of the accused that the items were stolen at the time of buying.
“It has been clearly shown in this case that the suspect did not have the requisite element of knowledge.On the basis of this development you are directed to close the case for insufficient evidence,” concludes the letter which was written on June 20,2013.
Limbe Police Public Relations Officer, Chifundo Chibwezo disclosed they have arrested main suspect in the FCC equipment theft, William Maulana.
Maulana 27 years old and hails from Mangile village, T/A Chilikumwendo, Dedza has been charged with breaking into a building and committing a felony therein.
He is said to be the one who broke into French Culture Centre and stole the music equipment before selling it to various people including Jai Banda.
Jai Banda, according to Chibwezo, told the Police in a caution statement that he bought the sound craft mixer and power supply cables at a total cost of K200, 000.
The mixer value is pegged at K5 million.
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