Mutharika pardons cashgate convict

President Peter Mutharika has reportedly pardoned Esnart Ndovie, one of the Cashgate criminals, as part of 53^rd Malawi Independence Celebrations.

Esnart Nenani Ndovie was handed a 3-year-jail sentence in December 2015 while her appeal for custodial sentence last year was described as a “mockery for the public” by the High Court Judge presiding over her case.

Ndovi was convicted over a cashgate transaction amounting to K12.9 million ($23,035). She was also found guilty of lending a business certificate and money laundering.

But social media reports indicate that Ndovi is among 378 prisoners pardoned by the President as part of Independence Celebrations.

Meanwhile, Malawians are questioning the pardon saying it undermines President Mutharika’s commitment in the fight against corruption considering that a statement issued by Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security emphasized that only prisoners  “with minor offences” made the list.

“CASHGATE SUSPECT BEING PARDONED?? Interesting” wondered Mission Banda.

Unlike President Peter Mutharika who has pardoned the cashgate criminal, the High Court in Lilongwe turned down her appeal for a custodial sentence last year.

Justice Charles Mkandawire ruled  that Ndovi was “instrumental” in the cashgate scandal because “She willingly borrowed her certificate to loot the government money; she later deposited the money plundered into her account in August 2013. It would have been a mockery [of justice], let me put it in record that it would have been a mockery for the public to have the appellant receive a non custodial or suspended sentence”.