Defence lawyers Tuesday cross-examined former Nocma deputy chief executive officer (CEO) Hellen Buluma in a corruption case involving former minister of Energy Newton Kambala, Alliance for Democracy president Enoch Chihana and former presidential chief adviser on strategy Chris Chaima Banda.
The three are accused of attempting to influence fuel procurement deals at National Oil Company of Malawi.
First to cross-examine Buluma was George Mtchuka Mwale, who asked Buluma if her position was re-established after the Office of the Ombudsman (OoO)’s determination.
In her response, Buluma said the OoO’s determination was not legally binding as the decision can be contested.
“It is just a determination and I am yet to contest the determination,” Buluma said.
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Another defence counsel Khumbo Soko asked Buluma to point at any instrument that allows the government to headhunt for employees.
Buluma, wearing an apple green suit while putting on eye grasses, was answering questions with confidence throughout the cross-examination.
She was also asked if she was aware of how government departments work.
In her response, Buluma said although protocol is that the company would advertise for vacancies, there are times when candidates are head-hunted based on their skills and talent.
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She said she knows people who are headhunted.
“There are various ways of recruiting people in the public service,” she said..
When asked about how she was appointed at United Nations Women, where she worked as senior adviser to the country representative, Buluma said she was also headhunted after a chat, which was an interview in itself.
“I had a chat with the country rep [representative]. They call it a chat, but it’s an interview. After this, I was invited to report for work,” Buluma said.
Before adjournment of the matter, lawyers representing accused persons asked the court to caution Buluma about her way of responding to questions.
On her part, Anti- Corruption Bureau Director General Martha Chizuma told the court that lawyers should ask pertinent questions; questions that are not based on opinion.
Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza has since adjourned the matter to the second week of December.
