Reported by Innocent Mvundula-Lilongwe
High Court Judge Redson Kapindu has rescheduled the plea-taking session for Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima to Friday, May 10. The plea was initially expected to be taken today, with the court set to provide further directions on the case.
Chilima’s lawyer, Khumbo Soko, has confirmed the postponement to the press, stating, “This is just a communication from the court.”
Vice President Chilima is facing corruption charges related to businessman Zuneth Sattar, who is suspected of providing money to influence the deal involving the supply of military equipment to the Malawi Defence Force. Chilima has been charged on six counts, with allegations that he received $280,000 (approximately K287.2 million) from Sattar between March 2021 and October 2021. The money is believed to be a reward for using his influence as a public officer to award contracts to the businessman.
According to Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Sattar has a history of questionable deals with the Malawi government. Between 2017 and 2021, the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force awarded 16 contracts worth over $150 million to five companies belonging to Sattar.
As the investigation continues, concerns have been raised about the potential implications of these dealings on the integrity of the government and its institutions. The postponement of Chilima’s plea-taking session will provide additional time for a thorough examination of the evidence, ultimately ensuring a fair and transparent legal process.