[Aljazeera] Blantyre, Malawi — For years, Norman Chisale was known as the "most trusted and feared" bodyguard of Peter Mutharika, Malawi’s former president. It seems he was also the "richest".In news that stunned Malawi, state authorities last month seized property belonging to Chisale, as well as his close associates and relatives, worth an estimated $2.2m.
The seized high-value assets included more than 80 vehicles, ranging from Mercedes Benzes and Range Rovers to Land Cruisers and Jeep Wranglers, as well as 21 properties, including residential houses and commercial buildings. The state also froze two bank accounts registered in Chisale’s name containing a combined sum of nearly $150,000.
The moves by the anti-corruption prosecutors and investigating authorities are linked to a multimillion-dollar deal in which Chisale, 45, is accused of fraudulently using Mutharika’s tax exemption number to import cement in 2017-2018.