Former Justice Minister Raphael Kasambara has said he is not surprised with the 13 years jail sentence handed down to him in the shooting case of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo which led to the revelations of massive plunder of public funds at Capitol Hill on September 13, 2013.

High Court Judge Michael Mtambo sentenced Kasambara to 13 years for conspiracy to murder Mphwiyo while his co-accused Dauka Manondo and McDonald Kumwembe to 15 years imprisonment for the first count of attempted murder and 11 years for the second count of conspiracy to murder.

The sentences will run consecutively meaning that in total Manondo and Kumwembe will serve 26 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Speaking to the press after the sentencing, Kasambara said the sentencing was obvious hence the appeal.

“I saw it coming and am not surprised,” said Kasambara while leaving the court premises to Maula Prison.

On her part, Director of Public Prosecution Mary Kachale said the state was satisfied with the sentence handed down to Kasambara and his co-accused.

Meanwhile Mtambo has set September 23, 2016 as the day the court will start hearing Kasambara’s appeal on his sentence.