DPP seeks to strengthen K5bn cement deals case
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Masauko Chamkakala says he is considering turning some accused persons in the K5 billion cement imports case into State witnesses.
In the case, five people are accused of abusing former president Peter Mutharika’s presidential privilege to import duty-free goods for personal use.
These are businessperson Mahmed Shafee Ahmed Chunara, Mutharika’s former bodyguard Norman Paulosi Chisale, former director general of State Residences Peter Mukhito, former Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) deputy commissioner general Roza Mbilizi and businessperson Ahmed Mohammed Chunara.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Chamkakala said as the case begins, the State was looking at other options, including roping in some of the accused as its witnesses.
He said: “On the 9th we are starting hearing of the case. Plea was already taken. As prosecutors, we always have various options on how to strengthen our case including turning some accused persons into State witnesses. This is also being looked into in this case.”
The High Court of Malawi in Lilongwe is set to hear the case on July 9.
Reads the notice of the case: “Take notice that this matter has been adjourned for hearing to 9th day of July 2024 at 9.00 O’clock in the forenoon at the High Court, Revenue Division, sitting at Lilongwe.”
The case will be heard by Judge ChimbizganiKachehe.
Documents filed in the High Court in 2022 showed that between November 2018 and December 2019, Mahmed Shafee Ahmed Chunara allegedly imported 1 250 770 bags of cement duty-free on the basis that it was for Mutharika’s personal use.
The law allows the President and the Vice-President, among other public officers, to import some items for personal use duty-free.
The court documents further show that Chunara’s transactions allegedly evaded a payment of K3.2 billion in customs duty to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
On the other hand, Chisale, Mbilizi, Mukhito and businessperson Mohammed Chunara, are also accused of importing cement using Mutharika’s taxpayer identification number (Tpin).
Ahmed Mohammed Chunara is father to Mahmed Shafee, the first suspect.
