Malawi: Court Cushions Bail Conditions For Vice President Chilima’c Corruption Case

By Joseph Dumbula

The High court in Malawi capital Lilongwe has softened some bail conditions for Vice President Saulos Chilima  one of which is that his passport be in the custody of the office of president in his ongoing corruption case.

Chilima was arrested on November 25th of last year by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on allegations of accepting a reward of 280,000 United States dollars from Zuneth Sattar to assist Sattar’s company, Xaviar Limited, in securing a Food Ration Packs Contract worth $7.8 million from the Malawi government for the Malawi Police.

He is answering six charges; three are to do with corrupt practices by a public officer, two are for using influence to receive advantage and another for of failing to report to police or ACB over an advantage received corruptly.

Meanwhile, today Justice Redson Kapindu has ruled in favour of the defence in having bail conditions for Vice-President Saulos Chilima varied as he is not a flight risk.

Kapindu however says the State should not keep Chilima's passport but instead it should be handed over to the State President.

He says the passport is safe with the President as the Vice President cannot travel without seeking approval from the President.

The Judge also says Chilima should be informing the ACB and the court 72 hours ahead of any foreign trip.