Cashgate Case: Savala Gets 7 Year Jail Term

A 34 year old cashgate convict, Caroline Savala has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for her involvement in systematic looting of Government money (Cashgate) amounting to K84 thousand in 2013.

When passing the sentence, Lilongwe High Court judge, Fiona Mwale described Savala as "trickster" 

Savala was found guilty and convicted of theft and money laundering after full trial. 

Cashgate Case: Savala Looking For Kasambara Replacement

Savala hunting for Kasambara replacement

The cashgate convict Caroline Savala has been left with no option but to look for a lawyer who can take up her case currently on mitigation stage.

This follows bail revocation to her Lawyer Raphael Kasambara by Lilongwe High Court on Wednesday morning. Kasambara found with case to answer on conspiracy in the attempted murder of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo has had his bail revoked after the High Court noted that he was not cooperative and has been breaching bail conditions.

During Wednesday sitting before Justice Fiona Mwale court, Savala who was vonvicted after full trial for money laundering to a tune of K84 million, has been asked to find another Lawyer who will represent her on 21st of October 2015 since her lawyer has now been taken into custody.

Kamudoni  Nyasulu

“What remains is if she finds a lawyer then they will close their plea mitigation, then the court will pass sentence” explains Kamudoni Nyasulu who is prosecuting the case

Caroline Savala is expected to parade two character witnesses; convict Leonard Kalonga and a Pastor

However Nyasulu did not hide to express his disappointment over delays in the case “This trial has taken a long time, we started in February 2014 and Prosecution closed its case in April 2014 but we are still struggling to finish.” He said

The court sat in the afternoon after morning adjournment as the defense lawyer, Raphael Kasambara was at that time not present for he was also attending to his trial in the court of Justice Michael Mtambo.

Last sitting of the present case, Savala was represented by emissary lawyer (agent) Tisilira Kaphamtengo as Kasambara was reportedly ill, suffering from high blood pressure. During that day, the agent lawyer did not cross examined Savala by admitting that he knows nothing about the case and applied that the convict be allowed to remain silent to questions that may incriminate herself.

Cashgate Case: Savala Chose Silence to Prosecution Evidence

Caroline Savala out of court 

Caroline Savala has spoken nothing relating to evidence brought by prosecution that she was aware that she was stealing immediately after her company certificate was borrowed by Leonard Kalonga.

The case was back in court this Friday where prosecution was trying to prove that Savala was aware that she was stealing public by lending her company certificate to Mr.  Kalonga, former deputy director of tourism.

Caroline: looked in good spirit 

Savala accused for siphoning K84 million, appeared before Justice Fiona Mwale looking in good spirit unlike last sitting of court when she cried as she was explaining how her company certificate was used to siphon government money and consequent revocation of her bail.

Caroline: leaving court for Maula prison 

During last sitting, Savala request court to be lenient to her guilty plea on grounds that she was not aware that Kalonga would use it to steal government money. In her testimony, Savala denied to have taken part in the cashgate but admitted that she found herself in because Kalonga had used her.  

Savala said nothing to presented evidence
Against her

But this Friday, the state brought evidence documents to prove that it could not have been just Mr. Kalonga using her since her own certificate were used yet she had responsibility under that certificate. 

Questions posed to her by State Counsel, Kamudoni Nyasulu during cross examination centred on finding out from Savala if she carried out her responsibilities and obligations as a certified contractor. However, she chose not to say anything.

“I choose not to say anything” Savala maintained such reply when asked of documents and matters related to her knowledge of some individuals that includes Leonard Kalonga who she has been naming as one who dragged her into the scam.

Savala: I choose not to say anything 

From such reply, She chose to be silent for example on: whether National Construction Industry Council legislations allowed her to lend someone her company certificates; if she had relevant equipment to do the work of construction; whether she knew if Kalonga had certificates or any equipments for construction; and even if she had any knowledge of sites where Leonard Kalonga was going to do the alleged construction works from tenders which he allegedly told her that he won from government. 

Meanwhile the case has been adjourned to a later date where defense is expected to bring two character witnesses; Leonard Kalonga and a church pastor.

Tisilila Kaphamtengo: I read nothing
for this case

Savala was being represented by lawyer, Tisilila Kaphamtengo who acted as agent of lawyer Raphael Kasambara who is reportedly sick, suffering from high blood pressure.

The agent lawyer did not re-examine Savala saying he knows nothing in this case.

In an interview, he described Savala silence as good position to prevent self incrimination.

Kaphamtengo: She was right for being
silent

He therefore justified defense application that Savala be allowed not to answer any questions where she would be incriminating herself.

Kaphamtengo explained that some of the questions would have lead to new more offenses other than present case which includes possibly offense of offending National Construction Industry Council legislations.

Cashgate Convict Savala Cry in Court, Speaks Out on K84 Million Looting

• 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”

Cashgate Convict Savala At Maula Prison Pending Sentence

Savala taken out of court for Maula prison

Cashgate convict, Caroline Savala to spend some days at Maula prison, pending sentencing in a date to be communicated by the High Court.

Savala answering charges of looting public money amounting to K84 million in 2013, has been walking freely since her conviction recently by Lilongwe High Court.

Her hearing before sentencing has been adjourned on Friday to unspecified date after court had failed to get the certificates for Savala construction company, which the state counsel want to use so that Savala should make some few clarifications.

When Justice Fiona Mwale began to make announcement of adjournment of the case to a later date all anticipation turned out to be different making rude awakening to the convict and family. 

Even before halfway of the announcement, Justice Mwale said since Savala is a convict, she lost “Right to Liberty” and needs to be incarcerated. Then she adjourned the case to a later date.

Caroline Savala and her parents were in tears upon hearing the announced immediate detention. Even when she left the court for the police vehicle, Savala made loud cry’s while condemning state counsel Kamdoni Nyasulu, that he must be excited now that she is going to suffer more following the detention at Maula.   

When convicted, Savala walked home freely without court bail a development which raised a lot of debate.

Appearing before Justice Fiona Mwale on Friday afternoon for hearing before sentencing, Savala also made recount of how her construction business account got million of Kwachas from the deal she had with Mr. Leonard Kalonga a former Ministry of Tourism official also answering another Cashgate case.

However, Savala in her tell it all, said she did not know that Kalonga was siphoning public money.