Chisale’s unexplained wealth case referred to the Financial Crimes Court for hearing – Malawi Nyasa Times

The criminal case of unexplained wealth involving Norman Chisale, the former bodyguard of ex-President Peter Mutharika, is taking shape today with the Supreme Court transferring the case to the Financial Crimes Court for trial.

Chisale’s wealth, amassed during his three-year tenure at State House, has come under scrutiny, raising questions about its legitimacy in light of his civil service salary and business ventures.

Chisale has been at the center of investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which suspects he has amassed significant wealth that cannot be explained through his official income or business activities.

The ACB’s investigation led to a court order for the conservatorship of his assets, including bank accounts linked to his alleged corrupt activities.

At the same time, the Attorney General has initiated civil proceedings to recover properties that Chisale is accused of unlawfully acquiring.

In an effort to regain access to his frozen assets, Chisale requested a postponement of these civil proceedings until his criminal case was resolved, arguing that his situation required constitutional interpretation.

In December 2022, the Supreme Court rejected Chisale’s request for a stay and ruled that the civil proceedings could proceed. The court also referred the case to the Chief Justice to determine whether the constitutional status was warranted.

Recently, Chisale’s case was referred to the specialized court for financial crimes, marking an important step towards a trial.

He will share the court’s attention with business magnate Leston Mulli, who is facing serious allegations of defrauding Malawi Savings Bank of K30 billion, along with several government officials including former Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Lloyd Muhara, and former Finance Minister Cliff Chiunda. .

The upcoming trials highlight the increasing scrutiny of government officials and the need for accountability. As the legal processes unfold, both Chisale and Mulli’s cases could set important precedents in the fight against corruption in Malawi.

The state has already moved to revoke bail for both suspects, highlighting the seriousness of the charges they face.

The revelations of Chisale’s vast wealth have shocked Malawians, especially the youth who form the majority in a country where about half of the mainly farming population lives in poverty.

Chisale started his career in military intelligence before landing a job in 2009 as an aide to then-President Bingu wa Mutharika, the late brother of Peter Mutharika.

After Bingu wa Mutharika died in office in 2012, Chisale began working for his brother, who served as president from 2014 to June last year.

The private bodyguard was not a well-known public figure, nor was he known to be rich, before Peter Mutharika won the presidency. But then things changed quickly.

Critics began pointing out that Chisale had become too powerful in State House. Members of Mutharika’s party accused him of denying them access to the president, with some threatening to quit the party if the “greedy” security aide was not removed from his post.

Chisale also made headlines in 2019 when he was accused of taking part in vehicle tax evasion fraud, raising eyebrows after reports said he had spent large sums of money to build a church in his home district.

All that with a reported monthly salary of about $1,500 after taxes while working for the president.

“Even taking into account daily allowances and allowances, which could have increased Chisale’s monthly income to 6.2 million kwacha (about $8,000), it would have taken him 274 years to earn his current wealth,” the Mail & Guardian reported earlier this month .

Mutharika was defeated in the June 2020 elections, and his successor, Lazarus Chakwera, declared that he will “clean up the rubble of corruption.”

It didn’t take long for Chisale to attract the attention of the police. He is currently facing multiple charges, including the murder of the anti-corruption bureau director, manslaughter and abuse of office.

He is out on bail and usually shows a Bible during court hearings.

Follow and subscribe Nyasa TV:

Sharing is caring!