Convicted former minister of justice, Raphael Kasambara, and two fellow convicts, MacDonald Kumwembe and Pika Manondo, are expected back in court on August 22 when High Court Judge, Michael Mtambo, will start hearing oral submissions before passing sentence.
Mtambo found the three guilty of conspiracy to murder former budget director, Paul Mphwiyo, last week Friday and they are currently on remand at Maula prison. Kumwembe and Manondo were also convicted on attempted murder charge.
Assistant Senior Advocate from the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dziko Malunda, confirmed in an interview with The Daily Times Tuesday that the court communicated about the date on Monday.
“We have up to the 16th of August to file the submissions and exchange them with the defence and then the court will hear the oral arguments on the 22nd before fixing a date to pronounce sentence,” said Malunda.
The state prosecutor added that his team prepared for the case to the best of their ability and that on the material day, the state will submit arguments that will help the court to arrive at a just sentence.
Kasambara, however, denounced the court’s verdict, in full view of cameras, before he was taken into a police van by armed police officers.
He alleged that the judge was compromised adding that he would file an appeal.
The country’s Penal Code imposes a maximum of life imprisonment for attempted murder charges and a 14-year-sentence for conspiracy to commit murder.
The shooting of Mphwiyo outside his area 43 residence on September 13 2013 is widely believed to be the genesis of Cashgate which saw the free-for–all plunder of public funds at Capital Hill.
Two judges, Ivy Kamanga and Esmie Chombo recused themselves from the case before Mtambo took it over mid 2004.
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