State to investigate harassment of Kasambara’s wife

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale on Thursday informed the court that the state will investigate claims by lawyer Ralph Kasambara that the police are intimidating his wife and in-law.

Kasambara alongside businessman Pika Manondo, Dauka Manondo and Macdonald Kumwembe are being accused of attempted murder on former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo.

On Wednesday, Kasambara told Lilongwe High Court Judge Michael Mtambo that a police officer Alexander Phiri have been calling his wife and his in-law trying to force them to turn against him in court as state
witnesses.

At first, it seemed the issue went unnoticed in court.

But it resurrected on Thursday when Kasambara said the same police officer called his in-law again Wednesday night on the same issue.

“I want the state and the police to stop this tendency of harassing my wife and in-law. Just yesterday (Wednesday) night, the same police officer called my in-law telling him that he should travel to Blantyre
Police to give a statement against me.

“I am not concerned if they are turned into state witnesses, I would even love them to come into this court and testify because the state will know the truth but the state should not do so through intimidation and harassment,” he said.

In response, Kachale assured the court that the state will investigate the issue.

“We will check with Blantyre Police if they have any police officer by the name of Alexander Phiri, we will cross check the phone number being used if it belongs to any police man or an impersonator,” she said.

Presiding judge in the Paul Mphwiyo shooting trial, Michael Mtambo, says he would like to pass judgement by May this year and has warned prosecutors and defence lawyers against unnecessary delays.