First witness in the abuse of office case at the homeland ministry and immigration department has outlined before the Magistrate Court in Blantyre how politically connected persons used his office to bulldoze employment of some people as immigration assistants.
The witness, Dustan Tasauka-Manda, who at the time served as principal human resource officer has implicated mostly politicians, security agency officials, government officers, State House officials and some.
Top on his list are ex-immigration director general Masauko Medi and former homeland minister, Cecilia Chazama, first and second accused respectively and also another four suspects who are being accused of aiding the irregular recruitment of immigration assistants at the department.
Tasauka-Manda detailed to the court the role of each of the accused six.
He said; ahead of the interviews, Medi constantly issued him directives and lists of names to include for the interviews, some of which lists, he claimed, “was told personally by Mr. Medi that they came from State House.”
Some people who sort favors through the former immigration boss, he said were politicians: Paul Chibingu, Nicholas Dausi, Late Dr. Chiwaya, Joseph Mwanamveka, Charles Mchacha and Jappie Mhango.
Tasauka-Manda has also implicated politically connected persons Mgeme Kalilani, former first lady [Gertrude Mutharika], ex-Chief Secretary [2017] and a Mrs. Bamusi, who at the time served as chief human resource management officer at the ministry of homeland affairs.
He said in his testimony that 36 000 applied for the vacancy but 12 000 deserving applicants were shortlisted upon meeting the requirements, one of which was an MSCE certificate with six credits including English.
The state witness has however told the court seating before magistrate Chisomo Msokera that Medi facilitated the inclusion of under qualified candidates by submitting his own lists and names from his accomplices.
Hearing of the case returns on August, 04th.
