Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Kasambara Gets 13 Yrs, 26 For Manondo, Kumwembe

Kasambara gets 13 years for conspiracy 

Manondo and Kumwembe gets 26 years 

Former Justice Minister, lawyer, Raphael Kasambara has been sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for conspiracy while Pika Mandondo and McDonald Kumwembe have been sentenced to 26 years imprisonment for conspiracy and attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo.

The 26 years handed to Kumwembe and Manondo is a total of 11 years imprisonment for conspiracy and 15 years for attempted murder which are to run consecutively. Maximum sentence for conspiracy attract 14 years imprisonment while attempted murder attracts life sentence.

Meanwhile, the convicts have filed the court notices of appeal for their conviction and the judgement. They have also applied for bail pending the appeal hearing which its ruling is expected to be made later in September.

The three were found  guilty last month by High Court in Lilongwe on conspiracy and attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo following the shooting of September 13, 2013 at victim’s residence in area 43 in Lilongwe.

Raphael Kasambara was found guilty of conspiracy while his two accomplices were found guilty of both conspiracy and attempted murder but both have maintained no guilty plea.

Kasambara committed the crime while serving as
Cabinet Minister

Victim Paul Mphwiyo and all three convicts were friends and the crime was committed while Kasambara was Minister of Justice while the victim Paul Mphwiyo was budget director in the Ministry of Finance.

Although it was not made clear of specific reasons for the shooting which Kumwembe was identified as a shooter, several evidence and witnesses that were presented in the court suggests Paul Mphwiyo was not complying to his friends demands to give them money by making unlawful withdrawal from Government.

Before passing the sentence, Justice Michael Mtambo said, it is surprising that Kasambara who has held senior positions in Government including of being Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs could lead such an organised crime of attempting terminating life of their friend Paul Mphwiyo.

One of the senior State counsel, Enoch Chibwana said the state is satisfied with the sentences and they are ready for the bail application made by the convicts and during the hearing of appeal for both conviction and sentencing.