Cashgate convict Kalonga admits has deal with State to testify
Cashgate convict Leonard Kalonga has admitted in the High Court in Lilongwe that he has an agreement with the State to testify in the case in which former budget director Paul Mphwiyo and 17 others are facing K2.4 billion Cashgate case.
The accused are charged with conspiracy to defraud government, holding property belonging to government, theft, money laundering, fraudulently issuing 24 cheques worth K2.4 billion, abuse of public office and usage of proceeds of crime.
Kalonga also confirmed a “separate agreement” existed between him and the State to testify against Mphwiyo.
This was revealed when lawyer Shadreck Mhango, who is in the Mphwiyo defence team, grilled Kalonga during cross –examination.
Kalonga said he is willing to sacrifice his life and freedom to ensure Cashgate justice and that he is going to respect the secret convenant he has with the State.
Mhango asked Kalonga what would happen if he will not live by the agreement with the State.
“Will you be killed,” Mhango asked Kalonga.
Kalonga said he will abide by the agreement because he wants to spill the beans in the Cashgate affair and ensure justice.
But lawyer Mhango asked the State to tender the agreement it signed with the Cashgate convict to court.
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale said the State would produce rhe agreement it has with Kalonga but asked for “some clauses” not to be made public.
Kalonga—who was convicted of charges of conspiracy to defrauding government, facilitating money laundering and money laundering— is on record telling the court that Mphwiyo and others lured him into the plunder of public resources at Capital Hill.
He is waiting for sentencing and it is believed the agreement with State is that he should implicate some suspects and gets bargain for lenient sentence.
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There is nothing strange here. It’s normal elsewhere to turn some accused people into state witnesses. How the hell would the state know the details of the case; unless they involve some of the culprits. Mphwiyo like Kasambara must be worried and very worried indeed. They just make sure that Mphwiyo doesn’t pay people to eliminate Karonga so that they can point at the state. Mphwiyo is already a dead man. He can do anything.
Kasambara zamukhuzanso bwanji? Is it that you just enjoy mentioning the guy’s name. In all the cashgate cases, Ralph Kasambara’s name has not been mentioned by anyone. Leave him alone, you got him where you wanted him to be. Fake news!!!
Can witness wochita kugulidwa be relied upon? Kaya?
Kalonga evidence or no evidence, Mphwiyo stole money from govt by conniving with so many pipo. Leave Kalonga alone to spill more beans!!!! Lawyers stop shielding thieves …God will judge u one day!!!!!
Stupid it is a lawyers duty to defend his client guilty or not guilty. Kalonga is a thief who voluntarily took part in the plunder and should be punished,
Yaphulika