CSO’s Write Court On Fraud Case

Civil Society Organizations (CSO) network in Mangochi has written Second Grade Magistrate Court to hear a fraud case involving Mangochi District Council workers in an open court.

The CSO’s Chairperson Aggrey Mfune, who is signatory to the letter, has confirmed that they have written Second Grade Magistrate Augustine Mizaiah.

Mfune said continuing to hear the case in the Chambers would raise more questions as to what they are afraid of.

“We requested to join the case as friends of the court arguing that they represent the voiceless tax payers,” he said

The CSOs are arguing that the suspects are civil servants and the money they are suspected to have mismanaged is for the public hence the case should be held in an open court.

Meanwhile, the court will resume hearing the case on Tuesday when the State is expected to formally charge the suspects.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Principal Secretary Charles Kalemba was quoted by the media as saying the fraud was uncovered when a new director of finance was deployed to the council.

Last week the court granted bail to three workers in accounts department at the district council.

The three were arrested for being suspected of misappropriating K43 million.

During the bail hearing on Monday, defense lawyer Gift Dick Chimowa asked the court to hear the case in chambers, which the court accepted.