No bail for Mvula, Gomba: Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda opts out of case

Five suspects  described as hardcore  criminals by police connected to the possession of arms used to murder people during several robberiesremain in custody after their  bail application at High Court failed as Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda recused himself in a case.

The five are Dumisani Mvula (23) from Bango Village, T/A Kaluluma in Kasungu; Chipiliro Gombwa (38) from Kayera Village, T/A Nthache in Mwanza;  Dickson Magombe (36) from Chipwaila Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chikumbu in Mulanje; Andrew Machinjili (29) from Kampepuza Village, sub-T/A Phambala in Ntcheu; and Charles Burnett Kawelama (47) from Nyamero Village, T/A Kuntumanji in Zomba.

Blantyre Magistrate’s Court committed the proceedings to High Court.

According to court records, the five face two counts of murder contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.

But Justice Nyirenda opted out of the case and could not hear the bail application.

Lawyer Chancy Gondwe defending the accused said Judge Nyirenda is of the view that “a judge who should preside over the substantive matter should also preside the bail application.”

The judiciary will assign another judge to preside over the case.

Mvula a son of politician Humphrey Mvula,  Gombwa  son of  Blantyre based medical practitioner Randy Gombwa and Kawelama were arrested during the night of January 2 and, according to police, a pistol and a pump gun were recovered during their arrest which officers of the law described as police intelligence.

Magombe was arrested on January 3 this year whereas Machinjili was already on remand at Chikwawa Prison on a robbery offence when it was alleged that he is connected to the two murders, according to the court records.