Revenue Division High Court Judge Chimbizgani Kacheche has adjourned to a later date the cement case in which some people are alleged to have used former president Peter Mutharika’s Tax Payer Identification Number (TPIN).
This means two years have elapsed since the case started.
Last week, the accused persons— namely Mutharika’s former bodyguard Norman Chisale, former State Residences director general Peter Mukhito, Malawi Revenue Authority Deputy Commissioner General Roza Mbilizi and businessman Shafee Ahmed Chunara— failed to take plea because two defence team lawyers had not renewed their licences.
The court has adjourned to a later date so that the lawyers can renew their licences.
Senior State advocate Pirirani Masanjala confirmed the development.
He also said the State is ready for the case.
“We are ready for the case and the accused are expected to come for plea when the court meets. The case has been adjourned to a date to be communicated by the court,” Masanjala said.
The counts have been reduced from 19 to 10 after defence lawyers objected to additional counts the State levelled on the accused.
One of the defence lawyers, Gilbert Khonyongwa, protested against the idea
