BLANTYRE - Malawi's former "life president", Dr Kamuzu Banda, who ruled with an iron fist for three decades until 1994, was charged in the High Court yesterday with fraud involving more than £6 million.
Dr Banda, believed to be 96, did not appear in court because of ill health. Hundreds of supporters from his Malawi Congress Party demonstrated outside the court.
He is charged together with his consort, Ms Cecilin Kadzamira, his former aide, Mr John Tembo, and former finance minister, Mr Louis Chimango.