The State says it plans to parade at least 30 witnesses to prove charges of unexplained wealth and money laundering that former president Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard Norman Chisale is answering.
Director of criminal litigation in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Dzikondianthu Malunda said in an interview on Wednesday that some of the witnesses in the case are from the Financial Intelligence Authority, Office of Director of Public Officers Declarations, Office of President and Cabinet, Lands and Housing, Department of Human Resources Management and Development, valuers and civilians.
“So those are the categories of witnesses we have and will parade in court,” he said, describing the case as complex.
Chisale was arrested on July 12 2020 on allegations that he accumulated wealth way beyond his legal means of earning money. His listed assets include 86 motor vehicles and 21 real estate properties, including residential houses and commercial buildings.
The High Court in Lilongwe sat on Wednesday for the State to parade its key witness, but Chisale’s lawyer Gilbert Khonyongwa was not present as he was reportedly unwell. He instructed a representative to seek an adjournment.
In court, Malunda did not object to the application for an adjournment as it was on medical grounds.
Judge Violet Chipao then adjourned the matter to May 6 and the hearing is expected to run up to May 9 when the State will parade witnesses.
In the interview after the court adjournment, Malunda said the State is keen to prosecute and conclude the matter having done thorough investigations.
He said the State was on Wednesday ready to bring a second witness having paraded the first witness on Tuesday.
Chisale on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the charges.
