Dodma top officials plead not guilty

Four Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) officials Tuesday pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of office and theft by a public servant when they appeared at the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court.

The four—James Chiusiwa, Moses Chimphepo, Fyaupi Mwafongo and Chrissy Ajawa— were arrested early this year on allegations that they abused part of the K6.2 billion meant for Covid response.

Soon after plea-taking, Police Prosecutor Cecelia Zangazanga told the court that they were set for the case.

“We are ready to proceed with the matter. We are also ready to parade two witnesses,” Zangazanga said.

However, Innocent Kubwalo, who is lawyer for one of the accused people, asked for adjournment of the case, saying he had another case that was before the same court.

Chief Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa has deferred the matter to a later date.