Woman shot by Chisale testifies, ‘it was purely accidental, he had not intended to shoot me’
The High Court in Blantyre will continue on Tuesday hearing a case in which former president Peter Mutharika’s security aide Norman Chisale is answering attempted murder case but the woman who was reportedly shot with a stray bullet testified after she earlier told the court it was not her intention to have Chisale prosecuted for something which he did not intend to do.
High Court judge Silvester Kalembera adjourned the case on Monday after the State paraded four witnesses marking start of the trial.
The four witnesses are Sigere Amani, Felix Moses, Praise Chauluka and another witness whose name is withheld as he is a minor.
The first witness, 36-year-old Sigele Kaipa of Mpulula Village, Traditional Authority Nkalo in Chiradzulu district who was allegedly shot by Chisale on May 20, 2020, earlier told the court that she withdrew the case and was not interested in pursuing the matter further.
However, after consultation with the State, the witness continued with her testimony.
She stated that it was around 6.35pm when a stray bullet hit her as she was walking towards the bus stop in Nkolokosa, about 200 metres away from where the alleged incident occurred along the Chimwankhunda-Living Waters Church road after dropping bags belonging to her husband with whom she said they recently separated.
Kaipa said Chisale visited her minutes after her arrival at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and explained that he had shot her accidentally during a chase of robbers that had allegedly raided his house in Chimwankhunda Dam area.
“I know the shooting was purely accidental and that he had not intended shoot me, but I was just at the wrong at the wrong time,” said Kaipa.
The other three witnesses told the court they could not recall events on the said incident because they were in a state of drunkenness.
Chisale is being represented by lawyer Chancy Gondwe, while Pilirani Masanjala lawyer for the state.
In Malawi shooting innocent people is illegal. The crime is against the state and not the one who was shot. He is still guilty of being a danger to the society.
Where have you learnt these laws my brother. Is it intentionally on not, whom is the govt represrnt if the victim had already withdrew the case
Zikadakhala kuti ndiiweyo Kikuyu mmayi ameneyu adamudyetsa chibhanzi choti ndiombila chamugwira kholingo sakupuma nacho bho awo akutiwo tinali intoxicated akunama awakocha kuti mukatimukati basitu Tione kuti Tiimale uli ife tili ku mastand just
Ya the government goofed on this one but there is a lesson as well to learn. Those who are entrusted with service firearms can not just discharge them in public. As much as the victim knew that it wasn’t intentional then acquit Chisale.
Much as Chisale has so many disagreeable issues this case is purely witch hunting. It confirms the narrative of the bias and selective justice by the Tonse govt.
The only case the government is going to win against Chisale is the cement case, the rest zero.
And the certificate one
Even the cement one has no base, why taking so long
ZOONA KUTHANA BASI,NO CASE HERE,MA JUDGE TRUE THAT YOU ARE DPP MEMBERS SHAME ON CHARLES NYIRENDA
Looks like govt is going to hell with this lawsuit unless the judges decide otherwise. Why starting this case when witnesses dont have tangible evidence. Malawi why Malawi. We will be paying our taxes because of incompetent of some officers. God help us.
By the way , if Chisale did intentionally shoot the woman, was she a threat to him? Looking at the woman here, I don’t think so, she was at wrong place at wrong time. May be I know nothing about the two
Our courts in Malawi are fast in executing cases for politicians and cases which are connected to politics. Reason, these are cases where they receive something for their homes. Look at how many cases which dates as back as 2012 for the poor but the courts cannot tamper with them. Industrial Relations Court is the worst. You hear there is no chairman up until today yet these are the people who Chilima recommended as those that are well organised and have put their things in order according to his reforms programme. Malawians, can’t we do something on this?
Prosecute the money and cement offences and not waste time on this trivial case. I do not know where you want to get to on this case….