By Cathy Maulidi:
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice president for the central region, Alfred Gangata, has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges leveled against him.
Gangata is accused of using a Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) certificate believed to have been obtained fraudulently.
He has been charged with fraud other than by false pretences, contrary to Section 319A (e) of the Penal Code, of the Laws of Malawi.
“In or around 2018, at Chitowo Community Day Secondary School in Dedza District, Alfred Gangata, an adult male of sound mind from Kachipeweya Village under Traditional Authority Kachere, unlawfully induced Mr. Andrew Ellia Phambala to impersonate him by sitting for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations on his behalf through fraudulent means, thereby interfering with the lawful examination process,” read the offence particulars.
Gangata is also facing an alternative charge of procuring a certificate by false pretences, which is contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code, of the Laws of Malawi.
Its particulars indicate that Gangata unlawfully induced Mr. Andrew Ellia Phambala to sit for the MSCE examinations in his place and under his identity, during the 2018 MSCE examination session, thereby obtaining an academic qualification to which he was not lawfully entitled.
Gangata pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“Have you understood the charges?” Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda asked.
“Yes,” Gangata answered.
“How do you plead?” Banda asked.
“Not guilty,” Gangata said.
The state prosecutor, Levison Mangani, told the court that the State has lined up eight witnesses to testify against Gangata.
Earlier the defence team, through lawyer Khwima Mchizi, wanted Gangata not to take plea saying they were still not satisfied with the particulars of the charges.
Mchizi told the court that the defence could have loved if the particulars could explain the word ‘fraud’.
After an exchange of arguments between the defense and State, the Chief Resident Magistrate adjourned the matter for some time and later ruled that the accused should proceed to take plea.
Magistrate Banda has since adjourned the case to May 13.
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