The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sought time to organise witnesses in a case it is accusing businessperson Abdul Karim Batatawala and three others of conspiring to defraud the Malawi Government.

When the matter turned up for hearing on September 6 at the Blantyre Magistrate’s Court, the bureau told the court it was not ready with its witnesses and asked the court to adjourn to allow them time to arrange the witnesses.

Accused: Batatawala

Presiding magistrate Martin Chipofya allowed the request and adjourned the case to October 4.

Batatawala is being accused alongside former chief Immigration officer Elvis Thodi, the department’s commissioner responsible for operations Fletcher Nyirenda and deputy director Limbani Chawinga of conspiring to defraud by inflating the market price of 500 lockers procured by the department from Batatawala’s firm, Africa Commercial Agency.

The firm was awarded the extended contract valued at K1 475 280 000.

Alexious Nampota is lead lawyer for Batatawala while the bureau team is led by its director general Martha Chizuma.

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