State witness delivers damming testimony in Oman slavery trial

First state witness in alleged Oman slavery deal case on Wednesday delivered a damming testimony on how she was exploited alongside her three friends in the foreign country.

The case involves eight suspects including three police officers, one medical officer, one immigration officer and three businesspersons.

The witness, who travelled to Oman’s capital, Muscat alongside three female friends, told the Chief Resident Magistrate’s court in Lilongwe on Wednesday that she ended up working as a slave whilst being sexually and physically abused.

In her vivid testimony which lasted over two hours, the witness said she was promised to work in Dubai as a fuel attendant and to be receiving 147.35 Oman Rial (K390 000) monthly, but she ended up working as a house maid on 80 OMR (K167 000) monthly salary.

The court has since denied bail to the suspects in order to allow the witness to wind up her testimony.

“I don’t think I should explain in general what evidence has been, but perhaps only to state that the matter was called for trial, the trial has commenced the first witness of the State has testified in court,” said Jefferson Luwa, one of the defense lawyers.

When asked why the defense did not cross examine the witness upon winding up rendering her testimony, Luwa said the defense needed more time as the testimony accounted some details that are not in the charge sheet.

He said: “There are some issues that have been raised in the witness’s statement during her testimony, so it is for that reason that the defense asked the court to give us time look at those other issues that have been stated and of course verify with our clients before we start cross examination.”

The accused persons are Tinenenji Toppie Ebbex Nsaku, Goodson Makala, Aisha Ali, Chancy Namaheya, Douglas Banda, Killion Kathakamba, Happiness Nkhoma and Manase Robster Nyirenda.

They are answering seven counts bordering on attempted trafficking in person, contrary to section 21 (1) (a) of trafficking in persons, aiding trafficking in person, contrary to section 21 (1) (c) of trafficking in persons, aggravated trafficking in person, contrary to section 16 (1) of trafficking in persons.

Hearing of matter is expected to resume on Friday afternoon where Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza is expected to deliver her ruling on bail application.