BLANTYRE (MaraPost)—The hearing of a treason case involving Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Peter Mutharika and former cabinet ministers resumes this Thursday, November 14 2013.
Mutharika and former cabinet ministers Patricia Kaliati, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, Kondwani Nankhumwa, Nicolas Dausi and Jean Kalirani; former chief secretary to government Bright Msaka and his deputy Necton Mhura are being accused of attempting to block President Joyce Banda (then vice-president) from taking charge of the country following the untimely death of President Bingu wa Mutharika in April 2012.
They are expected to appear before at the High Court in Lilongwe this Thursday where they will also take plea.
“The case was set to resume the week beginning 11 November so the date for plea has been set for 14 November for all other charges except perjury,” said Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson, Apoche Itimu.
Mutharika and his accomplices were also charged on counts of disobedience of statutory duty, inciting a mutiny and breach of trust and conspiracy to commit a felony, among others.
Mutharika is DPP’s presidential candidate in the 2014 tripartite polls and his conviction on treason or perjury charges could thwart his chances of contesting.-MARAPOST.