Court frees ex-minister Chazama, Medi

Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court has discharged former minister of Homeland Security Cecilia Chazama and former chief immigration officer Masauko Medi in an abuse of office case. Chazama, Medi and two other Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services officials, namely Prudensiana Makalamba and Chandiwira Chidothe were accused of irregularly recruiting 127 immigration assistants in 2017. In a discharge order dated May 6 2026, chief resident magistrate Paul Chiotcha said the State has failed to prosecute them since adjournment in 2024.

He also noted that the State asked for further adjournment, but could not produce witnesses for continuation of the trial that was scheduled on May 6 2026. The State is also said to have failed to comply with a court order issued in April 2024 requiring it to submit disclosures, “despite extended opportunity to disclose the documents or render an account of them”. Chiotcha said he was satisfied with the accused persons’ application for discharge because the State was “unable and/or unwilling” to proceed with the case.

“The discharge shall become absolute and operate as an acquittal for all purposes if no subsequent proceedings are commenced against the accused persons with respect to the subject matter of the charges herein within 12 months,” he said. The discharge was made in accordance with Section 247(2) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code. Anti-Corruption Bureau spokesperson Jacqueline Ngongonda asked for a questionnaire, but was yet to respond by press time. The bureau arrested the four in 2022 before the court granted them bail and they pleaded not guilty to the charges.