- Savala named Leonard Kalonga as accomplice
- She cried in court and said “I have brought shame to my parents”
The Cashgate case hearing of Caroline Savala on Friday was full of emotions, for apparent looming sentencing.
Savala answering charges of theft amd was convicted after full trial on money laundering amounting to K84 million, cried during court sitting at Lilongwe High court on Friday before Justice Fiona Mwale and for the very first time made recounts of her deal with Leonard Kalonga, former Tourism ministry officer also answering another cashgate case.
The Illicit deal with Leonard Kalonga
When responding to questions from State Counsel, Kamudoni Nyasulu, on how she became to know Leonard Kalonga and Florence Chatuwa, Caroline Savala explained almost everything.
In a tell it all, Savala said registered her Carmu Civil Engineering Company in 2011 under National Construction Industry Council but never had offered service elsewhere.
Savala said, was introduced to Leonard Karonga in June 2013 by her former Bambino Secondary School classmate, Florence Chatuwa a supplier of fire extinguishers.
She said, Kalonga, asked her to borrow him copies of her company certificates because he “wanted to use the documents to do a construction work for the government”
Savala explained that she was convinced by Leonard Kalonga justification that as a civil servant he could not use his own construction company certificates to offer service to government. She added that she never had any suspicions that they were making an illicit deal.
Savala continued that, in July 2013 her company account received a Cheque amounting to K35 million and a week later got K49 million.
She said in all two separate occasions; Savala would withdrawal the deposited money and deliver in full amount to Kalonga at his house. But from the deal, Savala said was getting 10% only for each deposit money and was sharing that money with Florence.
She said she never doubt about anything or grew fishy about the payments sent to her company account.
Savala also told the court that even before and after her arrest, she has been earning a living through lipstic seling business.
Impact of Cashgate to Savala family
 |
| Caroline Savala being consoled by family members |
Earlier, when asked by her lawyer Raphael Kasambara how the case has impacted her life, the emotional Savala said “I have suffered anxiety and I’m just Sorry that I took part in this unknowingly.”
“I have brought shame to my parents” she said “It has got so much shame to my parents and family. I have put them in shame.”
Caroline Savala’s mom and dad sitting a foot away from each other could be seen with tears flowing from their eyes as they try keep listen to their daughter. His father seemed to have difficulty to keep eyes on his daughter for long; he spent a lot of time at the hearing with his head down.
“I have dented my image. I can’t work anywhere because am all over the internet that I was involved in looting of public money.”
She then spoke of her health which made her cry; “My health has deteriorated, I have a copy of my medical report”. Savala said it recommends that she need to live in a very good environment.
“Away from opportunistic infections…” said Savala then sobbed, followed by loud mourns forcing the Jutice Mwale to suspend proceedings for five minutes since she could not be audible when she was reading last part of the report.
Savala explained to State Counsel that she obtained this medical report from Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) on 24th July 2014 when she visited the hospital as patient.
“I never suspected that it could be looting of public funds with the senior position Mr. Kalonga had” she said after the court convened after the short break
 |
| Savala: Cashgate has embarrassed her and family |
“I am very sorry. If I had known that it was looting, I could not have accepted that my company should be used because am not a person” who tolerates anything like that, she aid.
“I’m a Christian and never had involved in such practice” she added and said she is a first time offender
Savala was convicted after full trial but in previous court appearances pleaded not guilty but surprised people that this Friday acknowledged her participation in the looting but emphasized “unknowingly”
No comments:
Post a Comment