President Peter Mutharika’s phone is at the centre of a cybercrime case involving former State House aide Collins Magalasi, who is accused of aiding the alleged hacking of numbers belonging to the President and senior government officials.
Magalasi appeared before Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda on Wednesday, where he was charged with aiding another person to commit a crime, contrary to Section 83(1), as read with Section 89 of the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act of 2016.
The court heard that between June and August 2026, Magalasi allegedly engaged information technology expert Lovemore Kachikopa to hack mobile phone numbers belonging to Mutharika and several senior government officials.
According to the charge, Magalasi allegedly provided Kachikopa with an HP laptop and the phone numbers of the targeted officials to facilitate the alleged hacking.
The charge sheet names Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito and his deputy Norman Chisale among the alleged targets.
Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga and his deputies Noel Kayira and Everista Chisale are also named in the charge.
The allegations place the phone of the country’s President alongside those of ministers and senior police officials, making the case one involving the alleged targeting of some of the country’s most senior office holders.
However, the allegations remain unproven, and Magalasi is presumed innocent unless convicted by a competent court.
The court was still in session at the time of reporting, with Magalasi’s lawyer pleading for bail.
The court is expected to determine whether Magalasi should be released on bail as the case proceeds.
