March 5, 2021 Wongani Chiuta - Nyasa Times 50 Comments
Ombudsman Martha Chizuma on Thursday released a report titled ‘Upholding Professionalism,’ an investigation that her Office carried out into allegations of abuse of power and other acts of maladministration in the procedure of procuring and engaging South African (SA) lawyers by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for the presidential election appeal case in which former Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale, former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah and High Court Judge Lloyd Muhara – all from the legal profession- have been shamed for flouting laws abused power.
Ombudsman; Martha Chizuma: Released the report in Lilongwe titled Upholding Professionalism,
Senior Resident Magistrate Shyreen Yona Chirwa, has committed to the High Court the land case involving former cabinet minister Charles Mchacha, former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Lloyd Muhara, former Minister of Lands Symon Vuwa Kaunda and Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Bright Kumwembe.
Chirwa has, however, turned down an application by the state to have the accused’s bail conditions restored after they were suspended by Principal Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba last month.
The four are being suspected to have played different roles in the alleged illegal land inquisition by Mchacha. The land, at Kanjedza in Blantyre, belonged to the Department of Forestry.
February 2, 2021 Owen Khamula - Nyasa Times 1 Comment
The Lilongwe principal magistrate court has finally allowed the State to level new criminal charges against two former powerful cabinet ministers and former public servants in a case bordering on illegal acquiring of government land.
Mchacha (r) and Vuwa Kaunda: Matter committed to High Court for trial
This was after the State prosecutors and the defence legal team battled it out in the morning on whether the court should throw away the case or not.
This is a case involving former Homeland Security deputy minister Charles Mchacha, former minister of Lands Symon Vuwa Kaunda, former chief secretary to government Lloyd Muhara and former ministry of Defence principal secretary Bright Kumwembe.
The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Shyreen Chirwa has committed to the High Court a case which former minister of lands, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, former minister of irrigation and water development, Charles Mchacha, ministry of defense Principal Secretary, Bright Kumwembe and former Chief Secretary to government, Lloyd Muhara are answering.
They were arrested in connections of a dubious sale of Plot Number LW 1366 (Kanjedza Forest) belonging to the Department of Forestry to Mchacha without following proper procedures.
Last month, Principal Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba quashed their corruption charges saying the State arrested the suspects illegally as there was no Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director following Matemba’s contract expiry on December 1, 2020.
February 2, 2021 Owen Khamula - Nyasa Times 2 Comments
Former cabinet ministers Charles Mchacha and former secretary to the Office of President and Cabinet Lloyd Muhara are back in court over land issue.
Vuwa Kaunda: Facing charges
The Lilongwe Magistrate Court is continuing hearing a case against Mchacha, Symon Vuwa Kaunda and two others.
Last month , Principal resident magistrate Viva Nyimba quashed their corruption charges and softened bail conditions in case on land acquisition in Blantyre.
The other accused person is Bright Kumwembe, the Principal Secretary for Defence.
They were all arrested last year in connection with alleged illegal acquisition of government land by Mchacha.