Former Malawian minister to appeal against 5 year corruption jail term

By James Mwala

Former Minister of Homeland Security Uladi Mussa will this week be appealing against a 5 year term term, which came as a result of his involvement in a scandal in which foreign nationals were awarded Malawian citizenships.

Mussa was given 5 years for abuse of power and one year for negligence but will be behind bars for 5 years because the terms run concurrently.

However, his lawyer Paul Maulidi says he intends to appeal because the court erred in its ruling.

His accomplice David Kwanjana, a former regional immigrations boss was also meted out with the same years.

High Court judge Chifundo Kachale, who is also the chairman of the Malawi Electoral Commission, said Mussa, abused his public office, neglected duty and uttered false documents.

Mussa served on that role around 2012 and 2014 under the leadership of Malawi’s first ever female President Joyce Banda, when the offense was committed.

The case has been stalling ever since as Mussa served as Vice President for the Central for former ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which lost in June’s historical fresh presidential elections.