The Malawi Law Society is yet to make its determination on whether to strike off convicted lawyer, Raphael Kasambara, from its list of accredited practitioners after the former justice minister was found guilty of conspiracy to murder former budget director, Paul Mphwiyo.
Judge Michael Mtambo made the landmark ruling in a case widely believed to be the genesis of the plunder of public funds at Capital Hill christened Cashgate.
MLS President, John Suzi- Banda, said in an interview on Sunday that MLS wants to get hold of the judgement before taking a position. He said the grouping is also aware of the different comments from the public following the court’s verdict.
“We don’t want piecemeal reactions and that is why we have not said anything to the media up to now even though we have been approached by the media on this matter. We hope that we may be able to see it [judgement] tomorrow [Monday],” Banda said.
Meanwhile, Kasambara and his fellow convicts MacDonald Kumwembe and Pika Manondo are expected back in court on August 22 when Mtambo will start hearing oral submissions before determining the sentences.
Kasambara, however, denounced the court’s verdict in full view of cameras as staged, before he was taken into a police van by armed police officers.
According to him, the judge was compromised, such that he would file an appeal any time soon.
Two judges, Ivy Kamanga and Esmie Chombo, recused themselves from the case before Mtambo took it over mid 2004.
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