The high-profile trial in Malawi of a former cabinet minister facing corruption charges opened on Thursday here amid tight security and high tension, AFP said. Brown Mpinganjira, who had been widely tipped to succeed President Bakili Muluzi as leader of the governing United Democratic Front (UDF), faces up to 12 years in prison for his alleged involvement in a two-million dollar contract scheme. The former transport and public works minister was sacked in November, along with two other ministers for allegedly authorising payments to “ghost contractors” to build schools when he was education minister several years ago. The projects were never completed and the funds were allegedly diverted towards campaigning for last year’s parliamentary and presidential polls.
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