Ex-Mera CEO, others plead not guilty

Former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Collins Magalasi and three others have pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of fraud and money laundering.

Magalasi alongside Mera`s spokesperson Patrick Maulidi, Procurement Officer Bright Mbewe and the CEO`s Business Associate Dorothy Shonga appeared before the Chief Resident Magistrate (CRM) Patrick Chirwa on Monday morning in Lilongwe.

The State, through Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr Steve Kayuni has since told the Court that it is ready with disclosures and that it has a maximum of 9 witnesses to be paraded before the Court.

“The four accused persons took plea to the 16 various charges, some of them are co-accused and some of them are answering as individuals.

“We will make disclosures to the defense and also prepare for the witnesses to come to court,” said Dr Kayuni.

The DPP however disclosed that there are possibilities that there will be a decrease in number of witnesses.

“Dependent on evaluation of evidence that is with the State and consolidations that may present the status quo or change it below 9,” he said.

The matter has since adjourned to April 27 and 28, 2021

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