Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Pika, Kasambara Conversations Were On ‘Katapila’ Business

Kasambara and Pika exchanged çslls and texts on
Loan Shark 

The second accused Pika Manondo answering conspiracy and attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo has told Lilongwe High Court on Thursday that constant communication he was in with former Justice Minister, Raphael Kasambara on the day Paul Mpwhiyo was shot, was doubtless an issue to do with ‘Katapila’ (money lending) business he had with Kasambara’s brother.

Pika, now in his defense was being cross-examined by the State on call logs which were last year analyzed by experts from Airtel mobile company. The prosecution was trying to let Pika clarify what his constant communication with the third accused, Raphael Kasambara answering conspiracy in the ongoing case was all about.

At first Pika told court that he was not able to recall his memory on exact issues discussed between him and Kasambara through number of calls and texts they constantly exchanged the day their friend, Paul Mphwiyo was shot.

However, it was when the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale was so inquisitive on some of the evening calls and text that led Pika recollected that probably the main discussions were around a business between him and Sylvester Kasambara, brother to third accused.

Without disclosing what that business was, he said, the third accused, Kasambara was key in the discussions of that business because Sylvester used to consult his brother Raphael on several issues of that business and therefore Kasambara was directly speaking to him (Pika).

After seeking permission from Judge if it was necessary to disclose the type of the business he was doing following keen curiosity by state, Pika simply but a bit shyly explained that it was that kind of business where one lends money out to someone desperately in need that assistance and in return one gets an interest. 

His explanation led court concluded that it was a Loan Shark an illegal money lending business locally known as ‘Katapila’ but, Pika said his business was a bit different from Katapila because he was charging lesser interest and attaching better conditions but could not remember amount of money he was lent out to Kasambara’s brother.

Pika told court that it was unregistered business and it never had a bank account a development which led Prosecution to ask him if he was aware that doing such business and especially without registering was against the law.

However, Kasambara stood to oppose strongly the DPP assetion that it was against the law to do business without getting registered. He said there are a lot of similar unregistered businesses being done in the country but are not regarded as illegal.

Kasambara gave an example of ‘Bank Mkhonde’ (community loans and savings) as one of the best example where people are trading business of lending money without being registered.

McDonald Kumwembe, first accused who is a suspected shooter in the case, also stood to protest against DPP’s inquisitive on Katapila issue instead of going straight to the matter relating to shooting.

“Ine ndimafuna kuuza bwalolino kuti ndikudabwa kuti kodi mchifukwa chiyani madame DPP akungolimbikira nkhani ya Katapila. Katapila akugwirizana chani ndi mulanduwu. Nkhani yakatapilayi ikungochedwetsa mlanduwu ikuti taitsa nthawi.”

The cross examination by state, continues this Friday