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Convicted Savala wants Cashgate suspect to testify

Cashgate convict Caroline Savala has told the High Court in Lilongwe that she will call another Cashgate suspect, Leonard Kalonga, to attest to her character before the court sentences her for theft and money laundering of K84.5 million ($169 000) from the government.

In the meantime, Savala will remain on bail despite her conviction on Friday.

Savala (R) with a well-wisher on arrival at the court on Wednesday
Savala (R) with a well-wisher on arrival at the court on Wednesday

When the court reconvened on Wednesday, private practice lawyer Ralph Kasambara told the court that his client would be bringing witnesses of character to attest to her personality.

Said the lawyer: “It is the intention of the accused person to call four witnesses of character. One will be a pastor from her church, the second person will be a medical doctor; the third person will be one Leonard Kalonga, a civil servant working for the Ministry of Tourism and finally Florence Chatuwa, a friend of Kalonga and also a friend of Caroline Savala.”

Kalonga is answering Cashgate-linked charges in connection with the procurement of six buses worth K520 million ($1 million); a K542 million ($1.1 million) case involving himself, Laura Savala and others as well as a K90 million ($180 000) case alongside Angela Katengeza.

Kalonga and Katengeza were found with a case to answer and are expected to enter defence.

Kasambara told the court that Kalonga and three others would give brief testimonies on Savala’s character when the matter comes up for hearing next week Friday.

High Court judge Fiona Mwale on Friday convicted Savala, but did not revoke her bail because Kasambara was not available.

She remains outside prison after her lawyer and the prosecution agreed to bring the issue on July 31 when sentencing hearing will take place.

Yesterday, Kasambara told the court that the matter of bail be pended to another date.

However, Kasambara did not explain his absence at the time of judgement although he had delegated lawyer Matthews Chizonde who was thrown out of the courtroom for lacking a valid practising licence.

The prosecution, through hired prosecutor Enock Chibwana, did not raise objections that the defence should file submissions in mitigation and serve the same on the prosecution.

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One Comment

  1. I said the sentence for cashgate. The refund, interest plus community service. That will cut the deal. Kasambara must clean Mudi River each morning

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