Ex-soldier charged with child desertion in Malawi murder case

The High Court sitting in Kasungu has granted the State’s request to amend the charge sheet against former Malawi Defence Force employee Medium Nyirongo, adding a charge of child desertion alongside the murder charge he already faced.

Nyirongo, who had previously pleaded not guilty to murder, admitted before the court that he had left his young son, Emanuel, in a forest – but insisted this had not been done intentionally.

Fresh pleas entered on both charges

Following the amendment to the charge sheet, Nyirongo entered fresh pleas of not guilty to both murder and child desertion, meaning the trial will now proceed on both counts.

Prosecution opens its case

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions has since opened its case against Nyirongo, calling witnesses in a bid to establish the charges before the court.

The first witness called to testify was Jane Harawa, 49, the accused’s mother, who hails from Moyeye Village in Rumphi District.

Legal teams

The State is being represented by Counsel Hassan Ayami, Yekhai Sitima-Ndau and Collen Mwenechanya, while Nyirongo’s defence is being handled by Bridget Uledi and Lusekile Kisyombe of the Legal Aid Bureau.

Justice Bruno Kalemba is presiding over the case, which continues.