By Isaac Salima:
Blantyre Principal Resident Magistrate Godfrey Balaka has reserved to Friday a ruling on the bail application by three people who were arrested for allegedly obstructing a presidential convoy.
The three suspects— who court documents indicate to be Hector Ndawala, Pearson Chimimba and Lucy Namba— were arrested for various offences following last Friday’s incident, where President Lazarus Chakwera’s motorcade was allegedly stopped at HHI Round-about by some people who were part of a funeral procession in Blantyre.
Lawyer Chancy Gondwe is representing Chimimba— who is the first accused— and Ndawala, who is the second suspect.
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Alexious Kamangira is representing Namba, who is the third accused person.
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The trio appeared before the Principal Magistrate Court in the commercial city yesterday, when they heard their charges and applied for bail.
The three have been charged with intentionally endangering the safety of persons travelling on the road, criminal negligence and failing to stop when the President’s motorcade was passing.
In making the bail application, Gondwe argued that the offences are not serious and that the accused can comply with bail conditions.
However, State prosecutor Damiano Kaputa prayed that the three remain in custody, saying the offences they are alleged to have committed are serious as they involve the State President.
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“[Also consider] that, if they did not respect the office of the President, how can they respect bail conditions?”
Kaputa then asked for seven days to conclude investigations.
Balaka said he would make a ruling at 2pm this coming Friday.
The suspects were among people who were on their way to HHI cemetery and are suspected to have obstructed a presidential motorcade which was accompanying Chakwera to Chileka International Airport in Blantyre
