Court Orders Mchacha’s Land Seizure

The Financial Crimes Division of the High Court in Lilongwe has ordered the seizure of a piece of land situated in Kanjedza Forest, Blantyre, linked to former cabinet minister Charles Mchacha.

According to a public notice released by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Mchacha is being prosecuted for allegedly influencing public officers to unlawfully process a lease for the protected land, Plot Number LW 1366, under his name.

The land belongs to the Department of Forestry.

Meanwhile, the court has placed the property under the custody and control of the ACB, following an application by the Bureau.

The seizure is in line with Section 25A(2) of the Corrupt Practices Act, which allows for property suspected to be connected to corruption to be held until the criminal matter is concluded or further court orders are issued.

The order, signed by Justice A. Kandulu, also allows any affected parties to apply for variation of the order within 14 days and mandates service to the respondent within seven days.

By Draxon Maloya