DPP reinstate Mwanamwekha’s financial misreporting case
DPP has reinstated his charges -Mwanamvekha
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has reinstated charges against the former finance minister Joseph Mwanamvekha, that were previously discharged earlier this year.
The charges against Mwanamvekha stem from alleged financial misreporting to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during his tenure as finance minister between 2018 and 2020 under the Democratic Progressive Party administration.
In a courtroom session yesterday, DPP’s representative, director of criminal litigation Dzikondianthu Malunda formally requested the Magistrate Court to refer the case to the High Court for further proceedings.
Lawyer representing Mwanamvekha, Mercy Chijere Chirwa, sought an adjournment, citing the intention of the defense to contest the committal proceedings led by defense lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale, SC.
However, despite the request, the court proceeded to commit the case to the High Court’s Financial Crimes Division.
Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza clarified the court’s role in such proceedings, stating, “When the DPP files a committal certificate, the duty of this court is to simply inform the accused persons that their matter will be heard at the High Court and, thereafter, transmit the file to the High Court.”
In addition to Mwanamvekha, two other individuals were implicated in the case are Samuel Maliton, who served as the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) General Counsel during the relevant period, and Cliff Chiunda.
They are joining Henry Mathanga and Dalitso Kabambe, the former RBM Governor, in facing charges related to conspiracy, making misleading statements, and money laundering concerning the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
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