BLANTYRE--Mzuzu Magistrate court has convicted and sentenced a state witness to 12 months suspended sentence for giving false information in court.

On May 19, 2012, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Kelvin Chirambo, Felison Mvula and Zikani Moyo on corruption charges.

In 2007, the ACB received a complaint alleging that chairpersons of vendors at the new Mzuzu Matabwa Market solicited sums of money from applicants who wanted to be allocated business stands in the market.

After investigations, ACB arrested the three people in connection with the case and they appeared in court May 31, 2012.
     
During court proceedings, state witness Milika Munthali turned hostile in court and confessed that she’d testified for the accused after being coerced by some of them.

The development led to the arrest of the witness on August 7, 2012 who was taken to court where he pleaded guilty to the charge of perjury.
 
ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala said the graft-busting agency wouldn’t tolerate such behavior and warned suspects against interfering with state witnesses.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.