The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has adjusted the figures from K107 million to K186 million in the money laundering and fraud case involving former Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) Chief Executive Officer Collins Magalasi and businessperson Dorothy Shonga.

Shonga and Magalasi together with former Mera  public relations officer Patrick Maulidi and procurement officer Bright Mbewe were arrested in 2020 on accusations that they influenced Mera Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee to award a contract worth K107 million to Vink Enterprise which is owned by Shonga.

According to DPP Dr. Steve Kayuni, the figure has increased due to evidence provided by 11 witnesses paraded in court during the trial of the case.

“The evidence is coming out clearly that the figure is more than what was on the charge sheet. The figure now is coming to K186 million,” Kayuni told the local media.

Meanwhile, Lilongwe chief resident magistrate Patrick Chirwa has allowed the State to proceed to amend the charge sheet to reflect the new amount.

The four suspects would be required to take plea again on April 19 in line with the amended charge sheet.

Shonga’s company, Vink Enterprises, is alleged to have been dubiously awarded contracts to supply Mera strategic plan booklets as well as branded cloth and T-shirts.

It is suspected that apart from the alleged breaches in procurement procedures, the contract sum was also inflated.