Vuwa Kaunda denies owing Ralph Mhone K7m legal costs as he pays K3m in protest

Ever cheerful Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay Central Constituency, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, on Friday paid K3 million of the K7 million reimbursement for legal costs for his traditional political contender, Ralph Mhone.

But Kaunda has denied owing Mhone any money, stating that the latter did not pay him anything in legal costs when he won his case at the High Court in Mzuzu.

Through an order dated July 29, 2021, the High Court in Mzuzu commanded Kaunda to pay the said amount of money plus interest thereon at 5 percent from July 7, 2021.

The court further commanded that, in the event that the legislator fails to comply, the sheriffs would impound his property valued at K7 million.

“And that of the goods and chattels of the said Symon Vuwa Kaunda within your jurisdiction you further cause to be made the sum of K7 million together with interest thereon at the rate of 5 percent per annum from the 7th day of July, 2021, and that you have the money and interest before me in my said Court immediately after the execution hereof to be paid to the said Raphael Joseph Mhone in pursuance of the said judgment.

“And in what manner you shall have executed this my Writ make appear to me in my said court immediately after the execution thereof. And have there then issued this Writ,” reads the order, which bears the signature of the Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and unnamed Registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court of Malawi.

Vuwa Kaunda told Nyasa Times on Sunday morning that he paid K3 million atop the property he involuntarily surrendered to the sheriffs. However, he maintained that he does not owe Mhone any money.

“Mhone did not pay me the legal costs I was awarded when I won the case at the High Court. So, where is this K7 million, they have ordered me to refund, coming from?” he asked.

“If it’s a genuine claim, I should have known. There is supposed to be demand notice/letter. There is no demand letter. If he paid me, where is the GR [government receipt]? Can Mhone to produce evidence, in form of government general receipt (GR), to prove his claim that he paid me the legal costs the High Court awarded me?” he challenged.

“My only suspicion is that this is the money he shared among people to facilitate reversal of my victory. Otherwise, he should produce a GR to support his claim that he paid me. To whom did he pay this money?” he challenged.

Vuwa Kaunda also lamented that he was ambushed as he was not served with court judgment prior to the sheriffs’ visit to his house in Mzuzu.

“I paid the money in protest because they could not leave without taking my property. But the truth of the matter is that I don’t owe him anything and I am ready to pursue this matter further,” he vowed.

Mhone could not be immediately reached for a comment on Sunday.

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