Pika Manondo ‘feeling poorly’, seeks bail
Businessperson Pika Manondo who is the one of the suspects in the attempted murder of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo and is also accused of laundering $184 500 (about K75 million) is feeling more poorly in jail and seeks bail.
Manondo has been in custody since November 2013 answering various charges, among them conspiracy to commit murder linked to the shooting of Mphwiyo alongside his lawyer Ralph Kasambara and three others.
He is also Kasambara’s co-accused in the money laundering case in which the lawyer’s firm is said to have processed a K55 million (US$135 135) cheque from Manondo in the purchase of a house.
Manondo fears for his life if he continue to be on remand under life-threatening conditions.
His ailment has not been disclosed, but said he need good medical care and environment other than prison.
He has been moved between Kasungu Prison and now Kachere Juvenile Prison.
Lilongwe Senior resident magistrate Patrick Chirwa set April 8 for the trial of Manondo. He will take plea before trial.
The shooting of Mphwiyo brought to the fore the corruption scandal in which over K13 billion was stolen within a period of six months last year.
Western donors, who are urging President Joyce Banda to tackle corruption, have since frozen all aid.
Malawi, with a population of about 15 million people, is one of the poorest states in Africa and has been heavily dependent on financial aid from the European Union (EU) and other foreign powers.