Mera funded DPP—witnesses

Two final State witnesses in the case against former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) chief executive officer Collins Magalasi have told the court that Mera footed bills for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 2018 convention delegates.

Magalasi, who is answering charges of fraud and abuse of office, allegedly sourced K10.5 million from Mera to pay for accommodation of DPP officials in Blantyre on the pretext that the money would be used for Mera sensitisation campaigns.

Standing in the witness box, Kanjedza Lodge manager Muhammad Aswan yesterday told the court that Mera in 2018 paid for accommodation of DPP officials at his facility in Blantyre.

He said that in June 2018, former minister of Local Government Ben Phiri requested for a quotation for DPP convention delegates accommodation which Aswan issued to the value of K4 260 000.

He said Phiri informed the lodge management that Mera should be invoiced for the accommodation. The convention was slated for July 2018.

Aswan said: “The convention took place and when the lodge started pushing for the accommodation payment, we were asked to issue another quotation for conference services and Mera was to pay for that.”

Mera was later issued a quotation of K3.9 million for the conference, which they paid. However, the conference did not take place, the court learnt.

In cross-examination, Magalasi’s lawyer Ephraim Chikwakwa asked the manager if at any point he transacted with Magalasi or met him, to which the manager said he never did.

However, Aswan maintained that payment was made by Mera and the lodge followed up with Mera as instructed by Phiri.

Asked if Mera had asked for the money to be reimbursed since the conference did not take place, the manager said Mera did not.

Aswan also maintained that Phiri was the one that booked accommodation for DPP convention delegates and the quotation was for 71 rooms for 97 guests.

Another witness, detective John Petro said the K10.5 million from Mera went to three accommodation facilities, namely Oasis Lodge, Heritage Lodge and Kanjedza Lodge.

He said at Kanjedza Lodge, the payment was supposed to be K4 260 000, but the lodge was paid K3.9 million to cover the convention accommodation bill.

He told the court that there is still a balance for the Kanjedza Lodge bill.

Petro added that if there were to be the sensitisation campaigns, the request was supposed to originate from the public relations department but it came from the chief executive officer.

Director of Public Prosecution Steve Kayuni said the State has paraded all its witnesses.

Lilongwe senior resident magistrate Florence Msekandiana has ordered the parties to file within 14 days submissions before she can rule whether the suspect has a case to answer.

She adjourned the matter to August 18 for the ruling.