CASHGATE; SOKO’s SENTENCING SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK

As cases involving the plundering of public funds at Capitol Hill continues in Malawi courts, Lilongwe Magistrate Court has adjourned to Thursday sentencing submissions in a case in which Malawi Congress Party (MCP)deputy director of youth Wayson Zinyemba Soko was found guilty on two counts.

Soko was found guilty of possessing about K40 953 287 from his account without offering any service to the Ministry of Tourism.

During the hearing on Friday, the defence team led by Henry Kadzakumanja submitted its possible sentencing.

Kazadzakumanja asked the Court not to pass custodial sentence to his client.

But State Prosecutor hired for Cashgate cases , Kamudoni Nyasulu rebuffed the claims, saying Soko deserves stiffer punishment.

Senior magistrate Patrick Chirwa adjourned the matter to next week after the State failed to make their submission.

Earlier, during his trial Soko failed to reveal the whereabouts of the man, Godfrey Banda, who introduced him to defraud government; hence, Chirwa said Soko and Banda had an intention to defraud government.

Since the financial scam which led to donor suspension last year in September, only two cases have been concluded . The cases involve Victor Sithole and Treza Namathanga Senzani.