The High Court in Lilongwe commenced the corruption trial of convicted wildlife criminal Lin Yinhua on Wednesday, according to the Malawi Nyasa Times. The Chinese national faces five charges, including allegations of attempting to bribe judicial and prison officials while serving his sentence. During the opening proceedings, State witnesses testified that Lin was allegedly permitted to leave Maula Prison in 2023 without handcuffs or prison attire to visit a private apartment in Area 9, Lilongwe, and manage his personal maize business.
Update: Following a court ruling that blocked a fresh arrest warrant for former Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda, internal fallout has emerged at the Anti-Corruption Bureau. According to the Malawi Nyasa Times, the bureau interdicted senior investigations officer Robert Mkandawire this week over the failed May 8 operation to arrest the opposition leader. Bureau insiders allege that Acting Director General Gabriel Chembezi is using Mkandawire to deflect blame for the botched operation. Sources state that the investigator had explicitly sought and received authorization from top legal management before proceeding with the late-afternoon arrest attempt.