By Wezzie Gausi:
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has summoned former president Peter Mutharika to testify as a witness in the ongoing criminal case against his former security aide Norman Chisale and two others.
The matter is scheduled for hearing from August 18 to 20 2025.
In a letter dated August 8, 2025 addressed to Mutharika’s lawyers, DPP Masauko Chamkakala said the State intends to call the former head of state as one of its witnesses.
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Chamkakala requested that Mutharika be allowed to render his statement and appear physically in court under Section 175 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code.
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He asked for confirmation by August 13, 2025 to enable the prosecution to prepare adequately for the hearing.
Efforts to speak to lead lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale proved futile as he could not be reached on his phone.
The case stems from allegations surrounding the importation of cement during Mutharika’s tenure.
In a witness statement recorded by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) in August 2021, Mutharika denied any wrongdoing.
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He said he never instructed anyone to buy or import cement on his behalf and did not request MRA to clear the alleged consignment.
He further stressed that he does not operate any business to sell cement and had no dealings with the transactions in question, either personally or through a third party.
According to his statement, the cement was purportedly imported for various construction projects, but Mutharika maintained he was not involved in procuring the material, financing the imports or managing the projects.
He said he only became aware of the matter after it was reported in the media in July 2020.
The others answering charges alongside Chisale in the case are former director of States Residences Peter Mukhito and former MRA Deputy Commissioner Roza Mbilizi.
They are accused of playing various roles in allegedly facilitating the misuse of Mutharika’s taxpayer identification number to illegally import duty-free cement valued at approximately K5 billion.
