State adds Felistas Njathu as accused in cashgate cases

Prosecution has added a second defendant Felistas Njathu to the case in which businessperson Muzipasi Moyo is facing charges of theft and facilitating money laundering in what is called cashgate trial.

Njathu has been added as co-accused person after fresh investigations into the loss of K335.9 million from public coffers.

Special prosecutor Enoch Chibwana also applied to the court to amend charges so that Moyo and Njathu are jointly charged with theft and money laundering K334.9 million.

Moyo’s lawyer, Gilbert Khonyongwa, raised no objections to the amendment of the charges or to the application to cross-examine the two witnesses

High Court judge Dorothy NyaKaunda-Kamanga has since ordered the restart of the case.

“Having reached this refreshed stage and much as I would want this trial prosecuted at a reasonable speed and since the first accused was not available when the two witnesses appeared in Court, I order trial de novo recalling all witnesses so that we start from the same footing,” ruled the Judge.

Njanthu is being represented by lawyers Nicely Msowoya and Atupele Nyalira. They asked the court for more time to go over records of the two witnesses earlier appearance before cross-examining them.

The Prosecutions plans to parade seven witnesses when trial restarts on May 27 and 28 this year.