As the shooting case of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo enters the second day at the High Court in the capital Lilongwe, the first accused in the case Macdonald Kumwembe has added three more government top officials to appear in court as witnesses.

Kumwembe said this on Monday just after parading his first witness in the case, former Minister of Finance Friday Jumbe.

He named Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Deputy Director Reyneck Matemba, former Secretary to Treasury Newby Kumwembe and former police body guard to then minister of justice and constitutional affairs Ralph Kasambara, Mr. Gani.

Kumwembe said the testimony of the three will help in his defence.

Reacting to the new, Matemba expressed shock over his inclusion in the case, saying he has never at any point interacted with Kumwembe.

Matemba has however said he will respect the court’s decision on the matter.

Presiding judge Michael Mtambo is yet to make a decision on the matter.

Kumwembe is answering two charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to murder former budget director Paul Mphwiyo together with second accused Pika Manondo and former Justice and Constitutional affairs minister Raphael Kasambara is answering conspiracy to commit murder charge.

Meanwhile the case is proceeding at the High Court in the capital and the first to be cross-examined was former People’s Party (PP) spokesperson Hophmally Makande.