MLS demands transparency on Cashgate expenditure

The Malawi Law Society (MLS) has demanded the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to be accountable and transparent on the cost aspect of prosecuting cashgate suspects.

MLS President John Suzi Banda has argued that Malawians need to know the amount released from the public purse to help in the prosecution of the cases.

“These cases involve a lot travels that help investigations and the Police, the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the office of DPP are part of the investigation team, I think It will be wise if the public know how much has been spent,” said Banda.

Meanwhile, public prosecutor Mary Kachale has said the office of DPP’s account department will prepare a statement to be presented in the national assembly in June.

Cashgate, a scandal that unveiled massive looting by government officials from public coffers happened under the leadership of former President Joyce Banda.

However, an audit carried into government account revealed that huge sums of money were also plundered during the era of the late Bingu wa Mutharika.

Among those convicted, Oswald Lutepo, a big fish in cashgate scandal was slapped 11 years imprisonment with hard labour for being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud government and money laundering.