Odillo co-accused to be tried in SA for Cashgate
Zomba-based High Court judge Redson Kapindu ruled in Lilongwe yesterday that Alexander Kauwa-Banda, the third suspect in a Cashgate case relating to supply of military equipment, be tried in South Africa where he is based.
The development now brings to five the number of suspects from the initial six.
Former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) commander General Henry Odillo (retired) alongside his former deputy Lieutenant Colonel Clement Kafuwa (retired) and three others will take plea on November 11 on the seven counts of corruption, negligence and money laundering-related charges.
The charges border on suspected illegal payments amounting to about K2 billion made to a military equipment supplier, Thuso Investments, which the State claims were not delivered.
Yesterday, the court also heard that one of the lawyers representing the suspects, Ralph Mhone, could not be allowed to delegate because he was yet to renew his practising licence.
On Mhone’s licence, Kapindu said: “Unlicensed legal practitioner cannot ask a licensed legal practitioner to represent a client on his [her] behalf because in that case the unlicensed lawyer would be principal and the licensed lawyer is an agent.
“Unlicensed legal practitioner can, however, share profits with a licensed legal practitioner.”
During earlier sessions, the State told the court that Kauwa-Banda, who now holds a South African passport, is believed to be the key person in the case because the alleged K2 billion was channelled through his company. n
