Ex-MBC chief out on bail

Relief was the prevalent mood around Court Number 2 at midday yesterday when former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) director general George Kasakula and his co-accused Jackson Kamwachale were released from detention, and granted bail. This came immediately after Blantyre senior resident magistrate Assunta Maxwell formally charged the two, who were arrested on Wednesday, with three counts each. Kasakula and his former director of finance are accused of conspiring to defraud MBC through approval and authorisation of expenditure amounting to K1.79 billion.

They are also accused of abusing the authority of their offices by approving and authorising allowances for themselves of $2 800 and $2 100, respectively for a trip to Italy. Finally, they are charged of abusing office by approving and authorising payment of K8.6 million for construction of a cubicle at MBC for a programme. Lawyer Josephine Gwaza from the Director of Public Prosecutions’ chambers told the court that the State that they had concluded investigations and were ready to proceed with the case.

However, Gwaza, who is director of criminal litigation responsible for the Southern Region, requested for six weeks before commencing trial, an application the court granted. But Maxwell directed the State that once they are ready to commence trial they should file a notice of hearing. Following an oral application from defence lawyer Bentry Nyondo of Ritz Attorneys for release from detention and bail, magistrate Maxwell ordered the two to deposit K350 000 cash each, produce K2 million non-cash bond, present two sureties each, surrender their travel documents and report to police every fortnight.

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In interview, Nyondo expressed delight that the State did not object to their bail application. But Nyondo wondered why the State, which indicated that it was ready for the case, asked for six weeks before commencing trial. “I don’t know how someone can be ready and ask for six weeks at the same time.

As defence, we will be asking for disclosures from today so that we, too, can start liaising with our clients and prepare the necessary defences before trial can actually commence,” said Nyondo. On Wednesday, Kasakula and Kamwachale spent over eight hours being questioned by the fiscal police before they were formally arrested. The ex-MBC chief’s arrest came barely three weeks after MBC board dismissed him over allegations of gross misconduct. This followed his suspension last October, pending investigations into the allegations.

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