The State has asked for 45 days for preparation of disclosures in a case involving former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) governor Dalitso Kabambe.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr Steven Kayuni has told the Court today Thursday that the pandemic has negatively impacted the investigations as some of the witnesses have been in isolation having tested positive for Coronavirus.
“The other thing that you need to realise is that the Covid-19 too has affected the progress of the investigations, some of the witnesses were in isolation and some have been readily available now,” he said.
Dr Kayuni added that the investigation is too broad and that more time is needed for preparation of disclosures.
“It’s an investigation strategy that is at play, there are different institutions, there is Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and fiscal police and they are jointly working hard to make sure that they wrap up the investigations very quickly,” Dr Kayuni added.
But reacting to the request, the Defense has faulted the State in rushing arresting the suspects without thorough completion of its investigations.
“AS for the defence even our clients who are accused in this case express disappointments over conduct of the State, as it is already settled principle that people should arrested after investigation, not arresting them then investigating afterwards.
“The State rushed to arrest our clients before conducting investigations and as from today that has been confirmed because they are seeking that they have not yet done on the investigations an they are still more things that need to be done,” said Taulo.
Chief Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa has since set September 15, 2021, as a date the State should provide disclosures to parties in the case.
Kabambe together with Henry Mathanga, Rodrick Wiyo and Leah Ndonga being charged with abuse of office, negligence, and causing loss of public funds amounting K4.3 billion in relation to the approval of payments to a number of companies.
The four, who are currently on court bail, were arrested by police last month.
