Mzuzu Cops granted bail again: Face manslaughter charges
The High Court in Mzuzu has ordered that the trial for the three Mzuzu based Cops who are accused of having a hand in the death of a suspect be held with 21 days from February 27, 2014.
The suspect Edison Msiska, a former Natural Resources College student, died on January 29 2012, under mysterious circumstances, four days after his arrest after he was found with property suspected to have been stolen.
Judge Dingiswayo Madise made the order in his ruling on defense applications for bail and new date for Cops’ trial.
In their application for the restoration of bail, the defense team argued among other things that the accused have always honoured the bail conditions and that they have never escaped or left Mzuzu without the consent of the Court.
The Judge then restored the Cops’ bail on the same conditions that applied before.
On February 26, 2014, Judge Madise revoked bail for the Cops, Constable George Kamphe, Constable Victor Msoloma and Constable Lucius Mpakeni because their Lawyers irked the Court because of ill preparedness.
The cops are answering manslaughter charges and not murder as earlier charged.
The Cops’ defense team comprises Victor Gondwe, George Kadzipatike and Christon Ghambi.
Kadzipatike of Jivason and Company said the Court’s suspension of bail was a warning shot to them to hasten their pace in trial preparations.
“We will ensure that we are ready with the defense the time the case is called again for hearing,” Kadzipatike said.
Police arrested six officers on April 18th 2012 namely, Inspector Gertrude Munkhondia, Constable George Kamphe, Constable Victor Msoloma, , Constable Lucius Mpakeni, Constable Bertha Chavula and Constable Joel Kapunda.
At the close of the Prosecution case in 2012, the Court acquitted Inspector Gertrude Munkhondia, Constable Bertha Chavula and Constable Joel Kapunda because of lack of evidence.
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