Lutepo Nearly Run Over By Prison Vehicle After Delivering Testimony In Mphwiyo Shooting Case

Lutepo: pushing approaching vehicle with hand as
Officer comew quickly to his rescue 

 The ‘chief Cashgate’ convict Oswald Lutepo was narrowly run over by Malawi Prison vehicle which he was about to get into just after he had finished giving his testimony in the ongoing case of attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo.

Lutepo just coming out of court

Lutepo was told to wait for the Prison Vehicle to pick him near 

court entrance

The incident was captured Wednesday evening outside Lilongwe High Court as he was about to start off to Blantyre, Chichiri Prison where he is serving his 11 year sentence, after appearing as witness for the defense of the first accused, McDonald Kumwembe.

The vehicle is finally here

Prison officer pushing Lutepo near the reversing vehicle

The driver of the prison vehicle was reversing so as to get close position of picking Lutepo into the car. Unfortunately, he moved beyond too close as the back of the vehicle got contact of Lutepo who sat on his wheelchair waiting for the reversing car to pick him.

Now drama begins

unexpectedly, the reversing vehicle getting so close

Lutepo attempted in a vain to push himself away from the slowly approaching vehicle in a bid to protect his life and he tried to rescue himself by using his right hand which was trying to push the back of the approaching vehicle.

Lutepo: pushing approaching vehicle with hand as
Officer come quickly to his rescue 

 But as some prison officers tried to make shouts, warning the driver to stop, another officer was seen quickly rushing save Lutepo by trying to push the wheelchair away from the vehicle.

Lutepo being taken into the vehicle that nearly run over him

That was great escape: Lutepo looked so calm after the incident

Fortunately, the driver heard the shouts and stopped the vehicle. He made a forward move which gave space for the officers to carry Lutepo into the car and start off back to Blantyre, Chichiri Prison where he is serving his 11 year sentence.

Lutepo taken into the car after people had watched the horror

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: DPP Says Kasambara Threatened Her As The Accused Pray For Bail, Access To Computer While In Prison

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mary Kachale on Wednesday had recused herself from commenting on bail application for Raphael Kasambara after she openly said she was afraid of him following a recent incident where he had threatened her and spoke in her face that she was the reason why court had revoked his bail last year.

After third accused, Kasambara who is answering the charge of conspiracy in the attempted murder trial of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo had finished submitting his request to have his bail revocation dropped, the DPP said she was not going to comment anything as she was still terrified by threats made by Kasambara during their recent closed meeting where he also made accusations that she was responsible for his bail revocation.

“I would like to recuse myself from commenting on bail application for the third accused because he threatened and shouted at me in our recent meeting. He reached the point of mentioning my name that You Mary, are the reason why I am in prison.” revealed Kachale 

She indicated that it was State Counsel, Enoch Chibwana who helped to ease the tension in the room when he quickly made himself seat between the two.

“I Came out of that meeting while shaking and am still shaking now" she added

However, court did not comment on the claim made by the DPP.

Kasambara On Wednesday asked court to let him free on bail because restrictive conditions in prison are barring him from interacting with his witnesses and that he is also failing to access to medical attention.   

But, Justice Michael Mtambo ruled that the third accused should make a formal bail application which the State would be expected to respond to. 

The third accused also made a second request asking the court to make directive that prison officials must allow him to have access to supporting materials like computers where he can use to do research and write some valuable documents for the court proceedings. 

Kasambara said he is being denied to fair trial in the ongoing case because he is being restricted to access to computer.

But Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mary Kachale responded that the state was not aware that the accused were not allowed to access to computer and said if were informed, a good arrangement could have been made to provide defense with such facilities.

When making his ruling on the matter, Justice Michael Mtambo ordered that “access to computers for the research, should have a restricted access in accordance with the prison orders."

Last year, court revoked bail of both Raphael Kasambara and first accused McDonald Kumwembe for number of applications which were delaying the proceedings of the case and on security issues. 

Former Justice Minister, Raphael Kasambara is answering conspiracy while second accused, Pika Manondo and first accused, McDonald Kumwembe are answering both conspiracy and attempted murder of their friend also former budget director Paul Mphwiyo.

Paul Mpwhiyo was shot outside the gate of his house in area 43 in Lilongwe in the night of September, 13th 2013.

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Court Failing To Trace Brown Mpinganjira Home In Mulanje

The scheduled appearance of court witness, Evangelist Brown James Mpinganjira to testify on conspiracy and attempted murder trial of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo will not be possible this week as court says, they are failing to trace the permanent residence of him in Mulanje where they can hand him court summon.

One of the Court reporters told Judge Michael Mtambo that they attempted in vain to locate home of the former Mulanje Central legislature there in Mulanje district.

Former Cabinet Minister also former Vice President of Peoples Party (PP) in the South, Mpinganjira is wanted by court following his naming as one of then cabinet ministers of Dr. Joyce Banda who warned Mphwiyo that some irate individuals who were forcing him to authorise dubious payments have numbered his days to ten if he  continues to refuse to bow down to their demands.

Brown Mpinganjira matter also brought legal argument between Prosecution and Defense which took some minutes before Judge Michael Mtambo dismissed the conversation saying he was to make a ruling on the same.

Actually, the state were of the view that it was not proper for the defense to interfere with Court witness when third accused Raphael Kasambara told the court that he got a note from Brown Mpinganjira informing him that he has never received court summons.

But Kasambara maintained that there was never flouting of any legal procedure for receiving a note from the court witness.

The matter on Mpinganjira came just after man considered as "Chief" Cashgate convict, Oswald Lutepo had finished to testify as last witness of the first accused, McDonald Kumwembe.

Lutepo pictured with Dr. Joyce Banda

Some of major highlights in Oswald Lutepo testimony were  that former Deputy Inspector General of Malawi Police, Nelson Bophani forced him to change his statement recorded by police to one which could have implicated Raphael Kasambara as one who masterminded cashgate.

However, Lutepo denied that the former police IG had forced him to implicate Kasambara on issue of Paul Mphwiyo shooting.

Lutepo told first accused McDonal Kumwembe during cross-examination in chief that after his arrest he told police everything of his knowledge pertaining to cashgate.

But he said the deputy police IG, Bophani at one point arranged the meeting at Zomba Prison between him and the second accused Pika Manondo, so that the two should come up with framed claim that cashgate was masterminded by Kasambara but they both refused to do so.

He also denied that to the best of his knowledge and his involvement in cashgste, that he had transacted with Raphael Kasambara any business which was related to cashgate.

Asked about Paul Mphwiyo shooting, Lutepo told court that he was the person who had informed former President Dr. Joyce Banda of Paul Mphwiyo shooting just like he had done to the rest of Mphwiyo's friends.

He also explained that his best friend Paul Mphwiyo had in his house a desktop which was connected to the cctv camera's which were placed out side his house.

Now, second accused, Pika Manondo has entered his defense which will be continued this morning starting at 10 am.

Malawi Election Into UNAIDS Board ‘PCB’ To Increase Global Efforts In HIV Response

Malawi’s election into the UNAIDS Board, ‘Programme Coordinating Board (PCB)’ gives hope to UNAIDS that more countries will learn best practices in HIV fight, as the country becomes a global role model for number of achievements in its HIV response programme.

Ms Jan Beagle, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, made the observation on Tuesday morning, when meeting President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Lutepo Says Former Police IG Bophani Forced Him To Fake Statement Against Kasambara

Oswald Lutepo has told Lilongwe High Court today, that former Deputy Inspector General of Malawi Police, Nelson Bophani forced him to change his statement recorded by police to one which could have implicated Raphael Kasambara as one who masterminded the calculated looting of public money at Capital Hill dubbed cashgate.

However, Lutepo has denied that the former police IG had forced him to implicate Kasambara on issue of  Paul Mphwiyo shooting.

Lutepo told first accused McDonald Kumwembe during cross-examination in chief that after his arrest he told police everything of his knowledge pertaining to cashgate.

But he said then deputy police IG, Nelson Bophani arranged meeting by between him and Pika Manondo the second at Zomba Prison, so that the two should come up with framed claim that cashgate was masterminded by Kasambara but they both refused to do so.

He also denied that to the best of his knowledge and his involvement in cashgste, he had transacted with Raphael Kasambara any business which was related to cashgate.

Asked about Paul Mphwiyo shooting, Lutepo told court that he was the person who had informed former President Dr. Joyce Banda of Paul Mphwiyo shooting and also mentioned that he was meant to believe that Paul Mphwiyo and Dr. Joyce Banda had a very good relationship.

He also explained that his best friend Paul Mphwiyo had in his house a desktop which was connected to the cctv camera's which were placed out side his house.

Now, second accused, Pika Manondo has entered his defense.

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Lutepo Testimony Today

Case of Attempted murder of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo continues sitting this morning with testimony from Oswald Lutepo, man considered as ‘chief cashgate convict’

Lutepo is already in court sitting on his wheelchair and his appearance to day in court follows first accused, McDonald Kumwembe choice to pick Oswald Lutepo and dropping of former secretary to treasury Radson Mwadiwa as his witness.

Kumwembe on 14th January this year dropped Mwadiwa saying testimony of him had been addressed by other witnesses 

It was disclosed on that Thursday morning when the Court resumed sitting after a short break that Radson Mwadiwa who was outside the court waiting to enter the court room to testify would not do so as the first accused, McDonald Kumwembe had changed his mind and instead decided to call Lutepo during the next sitting of court which begins today 27th up to 29th January 2016.

The court directed that Lutepo will be the first witness to testify today.

Former minister and evangelist, Brown James Mpinganjira, who also failed to give testimony in the ongoing case is expected to give his testimony.

Last court sitting, Mpinganjira failed to testify because court summons which were sent by the registrars’ office never reached his hands.

Mpinganira, former People’s Party (PP) Vice President for the Southern Region was expected to stand in court before Justice Michael Mtambo to inform the court what he knows about the attempted murder of former budget director Paul Mphwiyo in September 2013. Judge presiding the ongoing case, Justice Michael Mtambo directed court that following evidence, it was necessary to call Mpinganjira whose name has been mentioned through ought. 

Victim, Paul Mphwiyo was first to name him when he told court that prior to his shooting former minister of information, Mpinganjira alerted him that people who are threatening him to make dubious payments had given him ultimatum of 10 days to live if he continues not to comply.

Former minister, Raphael Kasambara, Pika Manondo and McDonald Kumwembe are answering the charges of attempted and conspiracy to commit murder.

President Mutharika Hails MW, UNAIDS Partnership: Pledged To End HIV By 2030

Mutharika with Beagle 

The Malawi President, Peter Mutharika on Tuesday said close collaboration between Government and the UNAIDS is propelling the country to continue registering tremendous success in the fight against HIV and AIDS and committed to end HIV by 2030 if working partnership continues with a clear and focused vision, and human-rights centred approach.

Mutharika was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in the Capital City, Lilongwe during his meeting with the UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Ms Jan Beagle.

“To me and my government, UNAIDS is a distinguished leader in the global HIV and AIDS response, and our close collaboration has borne positive results for global health and development” said President Mutharika 

With UNAIDS support, Mutharika said Malawi has gained its global reputation in the scaling up HIV treatment program considerably and pioneer the “Option B+” program. He indicated that coverage for HIV treatment has increased by 82 percent since 2011 as the country has now over 600,000 people on Anti-retroviral therapy.

“Indeed, more than half of the estimated 1.1 million Malawians living with HIV are on treatment. Perhaps, one of our most notable achievements, is that Malawi has achieved a 67 percent decline in Mother-to-Child infections. This is the highest decline achieved for all the 22 high priority countries in the world, as you may be aware.

New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have also fallen rapidly. These are significant achievements.” He said 

He therefore thanked UNAIDS for providing technical assistance to Malawi Government on the development of the Global Fund proposal as well as the development of Malawi’s new National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS and Malawi’s Prevention Strategy which earned Malawi the first country in the world to embrace the UNAIDS targets of 90.90.90. 

Malawi leader further expressed thanks for technical and financial assistance together with UNFPA and UNICEF, rendered  to the First Lady’s’ program which includes children and young women and girls in the HIV response, and address cervical cancer.

“UNAIDS is working at all levels of government and society to support my Government to inspire Malawians about the fact that it is possible to end AIDS. This is in tandem with my government’s ideal for a people-centred government.” Added Mutharika

While reaffirming his commitment to strengthening efforts towards universal treatment eligibility in April this year, the Malawi leader also committed that the country will compliment support getting from donors by making a domestic contribution of $8.5 million to procure ARVs for the period 2015 to 2017 as one way of addressing HIV and AIDS in the country.

“These are hard earned resources and I am making demonstrable efforts to ensure they are managed in a transparent and accountable manner.” Said President Mutharika

He also expressed his commitment to continue mobilize and encourage young people to adopt responsible behaviour in preventing and managing HIV after a year since he signed the global Heads of State football to pledge his support for the “Protect the Goal” Campaign.

In her remarks, the UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Ms Jan Beagle said international community admires and respect Malawi Government for scaling up efforts on prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child by being the first country to adopt the Option B+ (a new guideline on the use of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART). 

She agreed with President Mutharika that the HIV Programme that Malawi is pioneering on putting HIV positive pregnant and lactating women on life-long ARV to prevent infections among children and to keep children alive, has indeed helped the country to achieve highest decline of new HIV infections in babies among the 22 high burden countries globally.

Beagle said significant strides like drastic reduction in HIV related deaths including placing HIV issues into the National Strategic Plan have accorded the country to a status of a role model in the fight against HIV globally.

“These achievements are not only significant to Malawi but also a signal to other countries to follow the same” she added

While encouraging the country to continue using HIV resources and invest wisely to achieve results, Beagle has commended Malawi for showing commitment to “invest HIV resources wisely” and that the recent largest per capita allocation from Global Fund affirms international admiration for Malawi’s commitment on this course.

But she urged Malawi to keep HIV on agenda and integration of HIV issues by looking at other diseases like cervical cancer.

Later, Ms Beagle also met with the First Lady, Madame Gertrude Mutharika who is also the Vice President for Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), who expressed her appreciation on number of areas that UNAIDS is supporting her.

“I am thankful for the support rendered in the implementation of activities for the OAFLA work plan. Through your support, I have mobilized resources for Point of Care Machines for Early Infant Diagnosis and dual HIV and syphilis test kits” she said and further mention the launching of a stop cervical cancer campaign as some of activities carried out with UNAIDS support.

She further informed the UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Ms Beagle that OAFLA Malawi is keen to address HIV and AIDS among children in line with the goals of the Global Plan, address HIV among young people and to eliminate Cervical Cancer 

Madame Mutharika also assured UNAIDS that as OAFLA and as the country they have embraced the agenda to Fast- Track AIDS response and she is personally committed to meaningful change.

“I have no doubt in my mind that together we can leave the legacy for future where AIDS is no longer a public threat” added Madame Mutharika 

The UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Jan Beagle is in the country for an important visit pertaining to the HIV and AIDS response in Malawi.

Ms Beagle is expected to meet various stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS response including the Civil Society.