The High Court of Malawi Financial Crimes Division has adjourned to February 24 2025 the K4.6 billion Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) procurement case where some former executives are accused of flouting procedures in 2016.
The executives are former Escom board chairperson Jean Mathanga, ex-chief executive officer John Kandulu, former director of procurement Fanuel Nkhono and former senior procurement manager Emmilius Kandapo.
The court adjourned the matter after the State, through the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director of legal and prosecutions Victor Chiwala, said the prosecution needed five more days to complete parading its remaining eight witnesses.
Following consultation with both the State and defence, presiding judge Violet Chipawo set February 24 to 28 2025 for hearing, to allow the ACB to complete the matter.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, ACB paraded its ninth and 10th witnesses who were supplying various materials to Escom.
In his testimony, one of the witnesses James Chuma told the court that between 2014 and 2016 he supplied to Escom various items, including poles. On Tuesday, ACB also paraded another supplier, Cable Manufacturers managing director Ayaaz Girach whose company has been supplying to Escom various materials such as overhead wires, copper conductors and telephone wires for over 20 years.
