The treason case in which opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika and others are being accused of attempting to overthrow the government in 2012 resumes this Thursday when the accused are expected to take plea.
Mutharika, former Cabinet ministers Goodall Gondwe, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, Patricia Kaliati and Jean Kalirani; former chief secretary to the government Bright Msaka; former deputy ministers Kondwani Nankhumwa and Nicholas Dausi and former deputy chief secretary to the government Necton Mhura are expected to appear at the High Court in Lilongwe.
Mutharika is DPP’s presidential candidate in the 2014 Tripartite Elections and his conviction on treason charges could jeopardise his chances of contesting.
One member of the defence’s legal team, Kalekeni Kaphale, confirmed on Monday that his clients would take pleas on Thursday, six months after being granted bail.
Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Apoche Itimu said: “The case was set to resume the week beginning 11 November so the date for plea taking has been set for 14 November for all other charges except perjury.”
Mutharika and others were jointly charged on the count of disobedience of statutory duty for reportedly denying that the then vice-president Joyce Banda had automatically become President on the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika.
Besides treason, other charges against the group include inciting a mutiny, breach of trust and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The DPP heavyweights were arrested in March this year following revelations in the commission of inquiry report into circumstances relating to Bingu’s death found that they took part in concealing his death from Malawians in an attempt to prevent the vice-president from assuming power.
