Africa-Press – Malawi. When private, personal matters are brought before law enforcers, they become public issues. This is exactly happening between businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala, and his father-in-law, Shabir Jussab.
This comes as the media is awash with stories that Jussab is being accused of theft, cyber harassment, and being involved in shady business deals, things which have attracted the engagement of Interpol.
Batatawala is using all forces, avenues, and platforms to crucify his son-in-law on matters that could be resolved as a family. The public keeps on speculating on how the duo got entangled in each other.
But Shabir Jussab, a local businessman has denied any wrongdoing to anybody, citing the ongoing legal actions being taken against him as false. Recently, the Blantyre Magistrate’s court issued an arrest warrant against Jussab.
While he currently resides in Saudi Arabia for personal business, he faces allegations of cyber harassment against businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala, his father-in-law.
After the warrant was issued, several issues were reported against him, by his close business partners and friends. According to Beatrice Mikuwa, spokesperson for the South West Region Police, Malawi requested Interpol, to apprehend Jussab and repatriate him to Malawi.
The charges are linked to violations of section 86 (b) of the Electronic Transaction and Cyber Security Act. The warrant says, “You are hereby directed to arrest the said Shabir Jussab and to produce him before this court in execution of this your warrant and herein fail not.”
However, Jussab refutes the accusations and offers a contrasting narrative. “This matter lies within the realm of family,” he said adding that people are reporting all sorts of things just to tarnish his image.
Just before the emergence of this conflict, Jussab had planned and purchased tickets for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia with his family. However, his wife decided not to accompany him.
Astonishingly, Jussab recounts that a day before he was scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia, he was reported to the police alleging that Jussab had stolen MK3 million. Jussab was taken aback, as this amount was supposedly taken from his residence.
“The Police claimed that the funds were missing from my own house. Strangely, they provided a statement but no warrant for arrest. In response, I advised them to return later. Since they did not reappear, I proceeded to Saudi Arabia with my son,” Jussab detailed.
However, matters have taken a darker turn since he arrived in Saudi Arabia. Jussab opted to contact the British High Commission, leading to their recommendation that he refrain from returning to Malawi.
Although he possesses British citizenship, Jussab emphasizes his strong connection to Malawi. Nonetheless, he asserts that his safety is at risk if he were to return amidst the current circumstances.
This comes also as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) under Martha Chizuma has sought time to organize witnesses in a case it is accusing businessperson Abdul Karim Batatawala and three others of conspiring to defraud the Malawi Government.
When the matter turned up for hearing on September 6, 2022, at the Blantyre Magistrate’s Court, the bureau told the court it was not ready with its witnesses and asked the court to adjourn to allow them time to arrange the witnesses. According to Nation on Sunday, presiding magistrate Martin Chipofya allowed the request and adjourned the case to October 4, 2022.
Batatawala is being accused alongside former chief Immigration officer Elvis Thodi, the department’s commissioner responsible for operations Fletcher Nyirenda, and deputy director Limbani Chawinga of conspiring to defraud by inflating the market price of 500 lockers procured by the department from Batatawala’s firm, Africa Commercial Agency.
The firm was awarded the extended contract valued at MK1, 475, 280 000. Alexious Nampota is the lead lawyer for Batatawala while the bureau team is led by its director general Martha Chizuma. Till now, the Batatawala case still hanging without direction.
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