Magistrate recuses himself in Malawi hyena-man case

Nsanje First Grade Magistrate Anderson Masanjala has dramatically recused himself  from further presiding over a case  in which Eric Aniva, popularly known as the Nsanje hyena and Vito Nkhalamba are answering sexual offences.

Aniva and Nkhalamba might remain on remand for much longer as the magistrate has  asked to step down from the case, saying he wants to remain neautral.

The case was supposed to start on Monday when Masanjala recused himself from the case and Aniva was thrown back into Nsanje prison.

Masanjala said he would be handing over the case file to the chief resident magistrate who in turn would appoint another magistrate.

The police prosecutor Christopher Botomani told the court earlier that he had received directions from the director of public prosecutions on how the case should be heard and asked for adjournment so that he could read the directives.

He however asked the court to continue remanding Aniva saying he could jump bail if given freedom.

Aniva is answering a charge of practising harmful cultural practices.

He told the BBC that he slept with over 100 widows and young girls as young as 12 in a cleansing cultural practices.

The hyena-man also said he was HIV positive but never told his clients before having sexual intercourse.

The Malawi Law Society has said it will represent him for free during his trial.