Former chief secretary to government and ex-ministers appear in court over alleged illegal land purchase

Former chief secretary to government Lloyd Muhara, former ministers Charles Mchacha and Symon Vuwa Kaunda are appearing before Lilongwe magistrate court on a case involving alleged illegal purchase of land at Kanjedza in Blantyre

The three were released on bail after being arrested by ant corruption bureau on suspicion that they were involved in the unlawful possession of the land by Mchacha

Ant corruption bureau chief legal and prosecution officer Victor Chiwala has told the court that the newly appointed director of public prosecution DPP Steven Kayuni is still state advocate despite not confirmed by parliament

Thus the bureau said the case should be committed to High court and principal resident magistrate Viva Nyimba adjourned the case for some minutes

Lawyer Chancy Gondwe who is representing Muhara and Mchacha has opposed an application by the state to transfer the case arguing that according to law there is currently no DPP confirmed by public appointments committee of parliament

“We have been informed that the state is yet to get consent from DPP to proceed with the case,” Gondwe

Meanwhile principal resident magistrate Viva Nyimba has reserved his ruling on the applications made to 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon

He points out that the matters raised are important and needs more time to make the ruling