The High Court in Blantyre is today expected to start hearing a case where former President Peter Mutharika is challenging a move taken by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to freeze his bank account over cement-gate scandal.

In August this year frozen some bank accounts of former president Peter Mutharika, his wife Getrude Mutharika, former Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Deputy Director General Roza Mbilizi, and Mutharika’s top security aide Norman Chisale in connection to the on-going investigations on the importation of duty free 400,000 bags of cement worth K5 billion from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

However, Mutharika denied any involvement and issued a press release, saying he had learnt with shock that MRA approved the clearance of duty free cement, using his TPIN.

In the initial transaction in November 2018, the former president bought 20 000 metric tonnes (MT) or 200 000 bags of cement worth $2 240 000 (about K1.68 billion) from PTC Zimbabwe Limited duty-free. In the second transaction in July 2019, Mutharika purchased the same quantity from Prestige Export based at Chipata in Zambia.

Recently Mutharika sued ACB after the graft busting body refused to unfreeze his bank account.

Mutharika’s lawyer Samuel Tembenu has confirmed of the development that the case is scheduled for today.

More details to follow…