When the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was in power, anarchy and lawlessness was the order of the day. As it turned out in court, former Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe has been implicated as one of the officials who flouted laws in the National Bus Services Limited bus depots acquisition wherein Mulli was given the bus depots in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu as if they were sharing deceased estate of a person who died intestate using custom.
The revelation of Gondwe’s implication was made at the High Court in Lilongwe in the ongoing case to find out whether proper procedure in the acquisition of the depots was followed. The case has since been adjourned to 1st and 2nd August 2023 after the state through Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, the Attorney General cross examined first witness from defence Leston Mulli.
Mulli during cross examination admitted that the go ahead of having the ownership of bus depots was done verbally in presence of officials including Gondwe.
Nyirenda said thus far, they believe that they have demonstrated in the court that the whole acquisition of bus depots was illegal.
Nyirenda indicated that the other point to prove their case is that Gondwe verbally without any written backing documents gave approval for National Bus Services Limited to have the ownership of depots.
According to Nyirenda, Mulli got the bus depots without also following procurement procedures which include giving chance for companies to bid for fair competition.
Meanwhile, John Kalampa, one of the defence lawyers says they still maintain that the whole processes were done and followed as per privatisation commission requirements making the deal legal.
