Cementgate case committed to High Court for trial
The Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court has committed to the High Court the the infamous Cementgate case in the alleged importation of cement valued at K5 billion using former president Peter Mutharika’s duty-free privilege.
Senior magistrate Shyreen Chirwa on Friday informed the suspects— former State House chief of staff Peter Mukhito, 57; former Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) deputy commissioner general Roza Mbilizi, 52; Norman Chisale, 45; security aide to former president Peter Mutharika and 26-year-old businessperson Mahmed Shafee Chunara—that the case has been committed to the High Court.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steven Kayuni produced a summary procedure trial for the case to be committed to the High Court.
Kayuni said: “Considering the nature and complexity of the matter, it had to be tried at the High Court.”
One of the defence lawyers, Powell Mkhutabasa said he will wait to be served with the evidence from the State to prepare for the case.
“We shall need to be served with the evidence that the State has and we will look at it and we will respond accordingly,” said Mkhutabasa.
The High Court in Lilongwe is expected to set a date to commence trial.
The four are answering different fraud-related charges—ranging from money laundering, abuse of office, falsifying documents with intent to deceive, smuggling, aiding and abetting smuggling.
Chisale, Mbilizi and Mukhito are accused of abuse of authority of their offices by facilitating the duty-free importation of 800 000 bags of cement, which act was prejudicial to the rights of the Malawi government.
According to the charge sheet, between 2018 and 2019, the suspects lied that Mutharika imported 800 000 bags of cement, worth K1.5 billion, duty-free.
Chunara is also accused with importing into the country the 800 000 bags of cement without paying customs duty under the pretext they were duty-free goods for the personal use of Mutharika, thereby defrauding the government K1.5 billion.
He is also answering the charge of knowingly using falsified duty waivers so as to benefit under Customs Procedure Code (CPC) 418, being a CPC for clearance of goods for personal use by Mutharika, thereby evading payment of K1 566 753 577.00 in customs duty to the Government of Malawi.
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The Choonaras are from Nambuma area where the president comes from and maybe why he is not arrested.However, this is selective justice because a criminal is not to receive favours until he is tried and found otherwise.
But why was Chunara not arrested and detained like his accomplices ? Free to walk because he is indian and more probably already escaped to UK if not will most likely be found not guilty .
No case here. Political persecution basi
This is a winnable case by government, mukhito, Chisale, Mbilidzi ooh sorry you are in for it.
The prosecutor is also another level, this is the man who pinned down Uladi Mussa’s tail
Just apologise to Malawians and pay back the money u stole to receive lenient sentence. Don’t waste court’s time with this case otherwise u will receive long sentences to deter others and u will loose your wealth as well coz government will confiscate all your belonging.