OWN CORRESPONDENT, Blantyre | Friday
THE high-profile trial of a former Malawian cabinet minister facing corruption charges has opened amid tight security and high tension.
Brown Mpinganjira, who had been widely tipped to succeed President Bakili Muluzi as leader of the governing United Democratic Front (UDF), faces up to 12 years in prison for his alleged involvement in a two-million dollar contract scheme.
The former transport and public works minister was sacked in November, along with two other ministers, for allegedly authorising payments to “ghost contractors” to build schools when he was education minister several years ago.
The projects were never completed and the funds were allegedly diverted towards campaigning for last year’s parliamentary and presidential polls.
The first person to take the stand was Yusuf Bobat, who said he supplied educational materials two years and bribed Mpinganjira to induce him to award him more contracts.
Mpinganjira, who has called the charges “trumped up”, entered fresh pleas of not guilty to four counts of corruption.
The trial comes a day after the accused launched a political pressure group to oppose any constitutional amendment that might enable President Muluzi to run for a third term in 2004.
Armed riot police and scores of ordinary policemen cordoned off the court, allowing only about 50 people and reporters to enter the courtroom after passing through metal detectors.
Mpinganjira, who travelled 80km from his home district of Mulanje bordering Mozambique, had to pass through five road blocks mounted by police to deter his supporters from going to the court.
“This is a violation of freedom of movement and of fair public trial,” Mpinganjira’s lawyer, Ralph Kasambara, complained to the court.
The court has barred anyone, including the head of state and his ministers, from commenting on the ongoing criminal trial.
Mpinganjira had been a minister since Muluzi came to power in 1994, holding other portfolios, including information and foreign affairs. – AFP