Malawi Police extends bail for treason suspects Kabwila, Chakwantha and Msungama
Police have told opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislators Jessie Kabwila, Peter Chakhwantha, and another official Ulemu Msungama, accused of treason, that their bail has been extended to 31st January 2017 on the prevailing original conditions.
Lawyer for the three, Gustav Kaliwo told journalists in Lilongwe on Monday after they appeared before the head of the CID that the police extended further the bail because the file for the three has gone for perusal and they expect it back by January for the decision.
“Really this is all frustrating. It is one year now with the process which started with a lot of zeal and people were really keen of seeing justice done in this matter but the police keep on extending it,” he said.
He said the State should drop the case and set his clients free because there is no genuine case.
In February, the three were arrested over a WhatsApp discussion that the police said was seditious.
Their arrests stirred controversy and almost derailed Parliament proceedings as the two legislators were arrested during sitting of the National Assembly, a development the Parliament’s Committee on Privileges condemned.
The developments even forced Speaker Richard Msowoya to adjourn proceedings prematurely on the basis that, he personally, and MPs were not assured of their security.
Kabwila is the suspended spokesperson of MCP while Chakhwantha is a lawyer who is also chairperson of Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee and Msungama is one of the key members of the party.
According to the bail conditions, the three are free to travel outside Malawi if need be.
Koma ndiye zilipo
The technique, in Malawi, is to drag the process out (this is all legal, btw) to let suspects sweat it out. And sweat they will. In public too.
Some people have been known to suffer irreversibly under such stress. Exactly the point. Anaziyamba dala (suspects were incredibly naive from the get go)