Cashgate: Senzani jailed for 3 years
Malawi’s former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Toursim Treza Namathanga Senzani has been sentenced to 3 years in jail for offences of money laundering.
She is the first convict in the looting of public resources at Capital Hill also known as “Cashgate” scandal.
Billions of Malawi kwacha was syphoned from government coffers by top government officials in 2013.
Passing the sentence on Tuesday, Judge Ivy Kamanga sentenced Senzani to nine months for a charge of theft and three years for money laundering. The sentences will run concurrently.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of her money and banks accounts.
Justice Kamanga said on money laundering an option of K2 million fine cannot be exercised. She pointed out that despite Senzani being first offender, she does not deserve a suspended sentence.
Senzani pleaded guilty to stealing around $150,000 (K63m).
She was arrested last year after a probe found she issued two government cheques to her own company, which did not provide any goods or services to government.
The country’s donors who fund about 40 percent of Malawi’s budget, reacted by suspended about US $150m earmarked for budgetary support.
Nanga akumvesa chisoni ndi dadiwo bwanji?
Disappointed that she goes to jail. She will waste more money for the government. Give her a hospital ward or a portion of a street to clean each day. .
She will be out within year for good conduct