Kasambara has heart problem, Court sets bail ruling Nov 22
Lilongwe High Court has set November 22 as a day it will rule on a bail application for former minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ralph Kasambara.
The former minister will remain in police custody until November 22.
High Court Judge Esmie Chombo defered the ruling to November 22 after the application was sent back to Lilongwe from Mzuzu High Court.
Kasambara, one of the country’s prominent lawyers and a senior counsel (SC), has been charged with attempt murder of Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo.
Apparently, prosecution asked the court for a period of 30 days to finalise its investigations into the matter.
But defence lawyers objected to government’s request saying like any other citizen, Kasambara a legal adviser of President Joyce Banda’s led People’s Party (PP) has a right to bail.
Justice Esmie Chombo therefore opted for an 11 day period setting the ruling to 22nd this month.
“The decision whether to grand Mr Kasambara bail or continue being held will be made on November 22, 2013. Mr Kasambara must have access to medication while he is in the cell,” she said.
One of the defence lawyers Emmanuel Theu told reporters just after the closed session of the bail hearing that indeed what another lawyer Vincent Gondwe told the court is true that Kasambara was very ill in prison.
He said Kasambala has a heart condition that need urgent medical attention.
Lawyers presented affidavits from a prison medical doctor, Henry Ndindi, and an independent doctor, Victor Madhlopa, who recommended that Kasambara should receive specialist treatment either at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre or in South Africa.
Theu said it the responsibility of government to ensure every citizen receives proper medical attention when required.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions Bruno Kalemba in an interview with Nyasa Times said government has the ability to see to it that Kasambala receives treatment right in custody.
He, however, said government is ready for Kasambala to be treated by a medical team of his choice while in custody.
Kasambara was arrested on Friday in Lilongwe in connection with the shooting of Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo on September 13 2013.
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