It never rain but pours on the immediate past President Dr. Joyce Banda as she has also been named as witness by the first accused in the shooting case of former Budget Director Paul which led to the massive revelations of the plunder of public funds dubbed cashgate at the Capitol Hill, Macdonald Kumwembe.
Kumwembe said this in Lilongwe High Court on Tuesday when he appeared before presiding Judge Michael Mtambo.
The development comes barely weeks after one of the accused persons in the same case, Pika Manondo also named her and former Chief Presidential guard as his witness.
Kumwembe who was representing himself on the case after his lawyer Wapona Kita recused himself on the case two weeks ago asked for politicians Hophmally Makande and Friday Jumbe, Chifundo Chikaphupha, Eric Mambucha, Robert Kasamu, Christopher Meckleni and a man only identified as Felix also make themselves available in court as witnesses.
He also asked the courts to subpoena the former president who has been mentioned three times now to be a witness in the Mphwiyo shooting murder.
Speaking to the press after the adjournment of the case, Kumwembe said he mentioned Banda because during a rally after Mphwiyo’s shooting, she said she knew the people behind the incident.
Before the adjournment, the State through Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale asked Mtambo to revoke bail application for Kumwembe, saying he is a threat to the Judge.
Meanwhile the case has been adjourned to Friday where Mtambo is expected to deliver his ruling on whether to revoke Kumwembe’s bail on not.
Kumwembe, alongside businessperson Pika Manondo and former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ralph Kasambara were found with a case to answer in the shooting of Mphwiyo.
