Malawi treason trial shifted to April 10: Ntata faces manhunt

Trial of the treason case against 12 former top Malawi government officials, including Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) interim president Peter Mutharika, has been shifted from this Thursday April 4 to April 10.

Spokesperson for the State prosecuting team, Apoche Itimu confirmed the changes on Tuesday, saying the defence lawyers led by Kalekeni Kaphale requested to change the dates to have ample time to prepare the case.

Other suspects in the case include former Cabinet ministers Goodall Gondwe, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, Patricia Kaliati, Jean Kalilani and Henry Mussa; former deputy ministers Nicholas Dausi and Kondwani Nankhumwa; interdicted chief secretary to the government Bright Msaka, his former deputy Necton Mhura and former presidential guard commander Duncan Mwapasa.

One of the suspects Allan Ntata is reported to be in United Kingdom and Inspector General of Police Lot Dzozi said they are working on tracking him down to have him answer the treason charges in Malawi.

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Mutharika and his gang expected back in court for treason on April 10

Ntata, who was charged in absentia, has publicly declared that he will not avail himself for the case, claiming they are politically motivated.

The official Commission of Inquiry report said that army commander General Henry Odillo had refused Peter Mutharika’s request to seize power when Bingu wa Mutharika dies last April.

Itimu said when trial commences of April 10,  four of the accused—Mutharika, Gondwe, Kalilani and Msaka—appearing in court to take plea on perjury charges.

“The charges emanate from false statements they made to the Commission of Inquiry into circumstances of the death of the late president Professor Bingu wa Mutharika and into the political transition following his death,” said Itimu.

She added: “The filling of these charges marks the beginning of trials of people suspected to have committed various offences during the transition of State power following the death of the late president.”