The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution has informed the parliamentary committee on legal affairs that thirteen cases have been discontinued since 2023, including one involving Vice President Chilima.
The Director appeared before the committee for two days to explain the reasons behind the discontinuation of these criminal cases, including that of the Vice President and another significant case, Republic vs. Paramount Holdings.
In an interview with MIJ Online, Masauko Chamkakala, the Director of Public Prosecution, stated that the Vice President’s case was discontinued due to security concerns and issues with the evidence.
However, Chamkakala did not provide a clear position on how the discontinuation of certain cases affects the country’s fight against corruption when questioned.
Peter Dimba, Chairperson of the parliamentary committee on legal affairs, commented that the committee has supported some of the decisions made by the DPP’s office.
However, the committee has recommended a review of the Republic vs. Prakash Virji Ghedia, Arvind Kumar Atit Patel, Suresh Khimji Jagatiya and Paramount Holdings case.
According to the charge sheet of the case, in August 2020, the three directors of Paramount Holdings Ltd in Malawi created a false document claiming that Paramount Holdings was an authorized dealer of Yamaha Motorcycles in Malawi on behalf of Yamaha Motor Company Ltd of Japan, which was not true.
The document was then presented to various Malawi government ministries and other institutions to secure tenders for supplying Yamaha motorcycles.
