The High Court in Lilongwe has granted bail to the former accountant general David Kandoje on a cash bond of K5 million after he was charged on two counts of abuse of office and theft by public servant in connection to Cashgate cases.
Kandoje, who previously appeared as a witness in other Cashgate cases during which he confirmed signing cheques paid out to various suspects, was nabbed because of a K500 million payment.
Speaking in an interview, after the bail application, which was heard in the judge’s chambers, deputy director of Anti-Corruption Bureau, Reyneck Matemba, confirmed that Kandoje has been charged with abuse of office contrary to Section 25 (b) (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act and theft by a public servant contrary to Section 283 of the Penal Code.
Said Matemba: “The ACB did not object to the bail application, but we requested that the conditions should take into account the gravity of the offences.”
Apart from the K5 million cash bond, Kandoje was asked to produce two cash sureties of K2 million each. The court also attached his house, plot number 18/5/707 to the bond.
Kandoje was also asked to surrender his passport and report to the court every Wednesday.
No date has been set for starting of trial.
Meanwhile, the High Court has adjourned to April 21 and 22 and April 23 and 24 Cashgate cases involving businessperson Muzipasi Moyo over money amounting to K435 million, and Bandula Chirwa, and Steven Mwenitete amounting to K67.2 million.
Special prosecutor Enoch Chibwana asked the court for more time to amend charges and serve the defence with further disclosures.
Justice Dorothy Nyakaunda Kamanga, however, expressed happiness with the pace of the case and warned that if the case does not resume by July 21 2015, the accused persons would be discharged.
