Aniva still in custody
Nsanje-based Eric Aniva, who was arrested for allegedly sleeping with 104 young girls and women while HIV positive, is still in the cooler at Nsanje Prison after Nsanje Magistrate’s Court denied him bail.
National Police spokesperson, Nicholas Gondwa, said in an interview yesterday the police are still investigating the case.
Gondwa said when Aniva appeared in court on July 27, the police asked for 14 days to investigate the case, which the court granted.
“The police will ask for another 14 days extension if we will not be through with the investigations and this is legal,” he said.
Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (Chrea), Victor Mhango, said he wants justice to prevail both to the accused and the victims, adding that giving bail is the discretion of a magistrate.
“We cannot question why the magistrate denied him bail because that is entirely his discretion,” Mhango said.
Chairperson of the Malawi Human Rights Commission, Justin Dzonzi, recently told The Daily Times that police need to be given space to make a solid case both for Aniva and the victims.
He said it is important to know that Aniva was innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Aniva was arrested on July 25 following President Peter Mutharika’s directive.
The police arrested and originally charged him with defilement but later changed the offence to “engaging in dangerous practices”.
Aniva’s story, which has been running in the local media, caused international attention when it was published by the BBC.
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