Principal Resident Magistrate for Mangochi Magistrates’ Court, Rodrick Michongwe, has set February 6, 2023, for filling of submission by both state and defense counsel in a case in which the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is accusing former councillor for Mandimba Ward in Mangochi, Madalitso Njilika, of abuse of public office. 

The court continued hearing the case on Friday.

Mandimba solicited K380, 000 from a contractor, Abdul Chikalongwe, during his tenure of office between 2014 and 2019.

Chikalongwe won a contract to build two school blocks at Kwiputi Primary School in Mandimba Ward in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Jalasi in the district. The project commenced in 2016.

ACB Prosecutor, Joseph Mataya told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that by soliciting from contractor the accused contravened Section 25 (b) of the Corrupt Practices Act.

The prosecutor said in 2017, ACB received information that on three occasions, Njilika demanded money from Chikalogwe.

“Njilika was always following the contractor to Mangochi District Council every time his payments were due and demanded cash claiming that it was meant as a thank you for being awarded the contract in his area,” Mataya said.

Chikalogwe, who claims that he gave Njilika the money out of fear, later briefed the issue to another person who reported the matter to ACB.

“This whistle blower reported the issue to ACB in 2017 and the Bureau started investigations which led to Njilika’s arrest in February, 2022. Police advised Njilika to return the money (K380, 000) to Chikalogwe which he did,” Mataya said, adding that the Bureau still found Njilika with a case to answer.

ACB took the case to court on February 2, 2022, where Njilika was granted bail.