No jail sentence likely for Malawi ‘Cashgate’ convict

Top tourism ministry official Treza Namathanga  Senzani who is the first convict in the so-called “Cashgate” scandal that led to the suspension of foreign aid and helped push a government from power is likely going to escape custodial sentence and the state wants in turn to use her as prosecution witness, Nyasa Times understands.

Senzani pleaded guilty to stealing around $150,000 (63 million kwacha) from state coffers, part of a broader swindle worth at least $30 million.

She was convicted  on her own guilty plea and will be sentenced on October 2 by Justice Ivy Kamanga .

Namathana Senzani:  First cashgate convict likely to escape prison sentence
Namathana Senzani: First cashgate convict likely to escape prison sentence

But Nyasa Times understands that her  swift guilty plea has been a “ bargain” for non custodial sentence. She is likely going to get a  suspended jail term.

“Malawians have not lost because my client paid back the MK 63.5 million stolen money in full. Of course there has been the consequence of withdrawal of donor aid and loss of donor aid but donor confidence won’t be regained by sending Cashgate convicts to jail. Sending her to jail will not bring back drugs in the hospitals” Senzani’s attorney Necton Mhura, who is also law lecturer at Uniersity of Malawi,  told the court.

Human rights activist Billy Mayaya opined on social media on Mhura’s submission as “.jurisprudence and legal Rreasoning for the birds. And meanwhile on the other side, people continue to be convicted for stealing chickens.”

The state plans to use Senzani as a prosecution witness in other Cashgate cases.

Senzani was arrested last year after a probe found she issued two government cheques to her own company even though it did not provide any services.

She was one of dozens of civil servants charged with money laundering and theft.

A report by British auditors commissioned by former president Joyce Banda showed that at least $30 million had been stolen from the government over a six-month period last year. There is also another audit report which was submitted to parliament indicating that about K92 billion was looted since 2005 during the DPP-led government.

The scandal had prompted foreign donors — who provide around 40 percent of Malawi’s budget — to pull the plug on aid of around $150 million .

The Cashgate scheme is the biggest financial scandal in Malawi’s history.

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nikisi
9 years ago

Although the convict has restored the stolen money,the damage to the country is huge such as the donors withdrawing aid which has affected malawi negatively. she deserves a meaningful sharp jail term. This was done with a former world chief executive who had stolen huge moneys and sent to life imprisonment.

Chabwera Phiri
Chabwera Phiri
9 years ago

Yes ndi m’bale wawo wa Hon. Anna Kachikho. Tiziona.

class of 1993.
9 years ago

In 1992 maybe i should say nthawi ya Kamuzu for referendum to take place, it was influenced by students from university followed by those in secondary schools. Where are university students nowadays? Whtz their role?

me love MCP en CHAKWERA
me love MCP en CHAKWERA
9 years ago

lets not hide any wrd here….these animals in de current govnt are also part en parcel ov de whole scarm dats y dey r not certain ov who shud be arrested/jailed

Ibrahim Taiti
Ibrahim Taiti
9 years ago

Chilungamo palibe.

MaiMai
9 years ago

Ralph kupha munthu a b d kuombera munthu, kusunfa mk5b ali pa den. Wina kugwidwa ku mudi kwa Chilima 3 days ali mundende..
Mzimai Senzani kuba k560m kubweza k63m ali free…koma inu dziko lalowe chisawawa ili

Don Chigwe
Don Chigwe
9 years ago

Kodi Treza Zezani ndi ndani? Mlomwe. Ndipo ndi m’bale wake wa Hon Kachikho.
Izi zizingapangike kwa munthu wamba.

ansumbu jando
ansumbu jando
9 years ago

zamanyi

Bupe
Bupe
9 years ago

What then will bring back drugs in hospital?….demos? We are fed up!

nankungwi
nankungwi
9 years ago

well done mhura but she must do community work per day in a hosp or market

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