By Cathy Maulidi:
Former UTM secretary general and Cabinet minister Patricia Kaliati has pleaded not guilty in a case where she is accused of conspiring to assassinate President Lazarus Chakwera.
Kaliati was arrested in October last year on allegations that she, along with others still at large— namely Joseph Odala and Frank Chinedu—allegedly conspired to assassinate the President between March 2024 and June 2024.
When she appeared in court in Lilongwe Tuesday, Kaliati entered her plea, rejecting the charges pressed on her.
Following the plea, State prosecutor Levison Mangani informed the court that the State had lined up 15 witnesses to testify in the case.
“The State will present 15 witnesses to prove its case,” Mangani said.
Kaliati’s lawyer Khwima Mchizi said his client had, indeed, pleaded not guilty and that they intended to prove this position to the court.
Regarding the witnesses, Mchizi noted that the State has filed the disclosures and that they were reviewing the testimonies of the 15 individuals.
“They have served us with the disclosures and upon reviewing the documents, we can confirm there are 15 witnesses. We are currently examining their testimonies,” Mchizi said.
The court has since scheduled April 28 for the commencement of trial following the State’s request for an adjournment to allow for trial preparations.
Kaliati’s arrest on October 24, 2024, drew a massive reaction from the general public, with human rights bodies condemning the police’s handling of the matter.
Kaliati, who was initially detained at Lingadzi Police Station, was later moved to Area 3 Police Station in Lilongwe and spent four nights in custody.
Among other bodies, the Malawi Human Rights Commission raised concerns about the handling of Kaliati’s arrest.
The commission’s director of political and civil rights Peter Chisi, who visited Kaliati at Area 3 Police Station, said law enforcement officers had shown no interest in bringing Kaliati to court during the four days of her detention, which he said was a violation of the 48- hour requirement.
UTM officials also held a press briefing calling for the immediate and unconditional release of their then-secretary general.
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