By Mercy Matonga:
The State is accusing UTM Secretary-General Patricia Kaliati of being part of a plot to kill President Lazarus Chakwera, along with two little-known accomplices, in a conspiracy that it alleges was exposed through recordings and other evidence.
This information emerged in the Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Court.
Dressed in traditional national attire, Kaliati looked sombre as the charges were read out during an appearance following her arrest last Thursday.
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She was later granted bail after Principal Resident Magistrate Roderick Michongwe formally presented the charges against her.
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The charges included allegations that Kaliati conspired with one Joseph Odala and Frank Chinedu to commit the crime.
Kaliati is accused of planning to kill the President between March and June of this year, although the court did not hear the specific details of how she and her accomplices intended to carry out the March and June of this year, although the court did not hear the specific details of how she and her accomplices intended to carry out the assassination.
“Patricia Anne Kaliati, Joseph Odala (currently at large), and Frank Daniel Chinedu (currently at large), between the months of March 2024 and June 2024 at Area 44 in the City of Lilongwe, conspired together to kill the Head of State of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera,” Michongwe read out the charges.
State prosecutor Levison Mangani told the court that the police wished to keep Kaliati in custody to continue their investigation.
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Mangani further claimed that the State possesses sufficient evidence, including electronic devices and witnesses who can testify.
“We would prefer that Kaliati remain in custody due to the seriousness of the offence, as our investigation continues. We believe that if she is released on bail, she might interfere with our investigation,” Mangani said.
However, one of Kaliati’s lawyers, Khwima Mchizi, argued that it was surprising the police arrested her before completing their investigation.
Mchizi further stated that the police were pressuring her to answer questions, despite her exercising her right to remain silent.
He also contended that the State failed to present witnesses in the case, even though Kaliati had been in custody for several days.
In his ruling, Michongwe criticised the State for arresting Kaliati without first gathering sufficient evidence.
He added that the State had not proven that releasing her would interfere with the ongoing investigation.
“There is no evidence that the investigation would be compromised if the accused remains at liberty, nor is there evidence that she would contact the alleged witnesses,” Michongwe said.
Kaliati was released on bail under the conditions that she appear in court every other Monday, pay a surety of K1 million, and ensure that her witness pays K500,000.
Additionally, she must surrender all travel documents and avoid any contact with witnesses.
Speaking to The Daily Times earlier, UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala expressed concern that the police had arrested Kaliati before completing their investigations.
“We are very worried about how the government has acted in this matter. When arresting individuals, the police need to have sufficient evidence,” Njawala said.
