By Pemphero Malimba:
Eleven people appearing on several charges at the Chief Resident Magistrate (CRM) Court in Lilongwe in relation to a political violence incident in Mponela, Dowa, have denied all five charges against them.
The accused are Bruno Munlo Makina, Erick Phakamisa, Davie Malamula, Rahim Jonathan, Alphonso Chiphwanya, Esaya Bwanali, Alfred Dalla Kadula, Issa Saidi, Lameck Mandowa, Lester Kanjunga and Haward Hamuza Kadango.
During proceedings yesterday, all the accused pleaded not guilty to charges including arson, malicious damage, acts intended to cause grievous harm and assault.
Lead state prosecutor Prescot Mwayiulipo asked the court to adjourn the matter to allow the state to prepare its ten witnesses, who were not present.
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One of the defence lawyers, Christopher Kambalame, asked the court to release the accused, citing their right to bail.
Objecting to the application, state prosecutor Moja Phiri said granting bail was inappropriate given the seriousness of the case, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
“Evidence includes positive identification at the scene of the crime and identification by witnesses. Only the investigator can present this evidence and show that an identification parade took place where some of the accused were identified,” he said.
However, defence lawyer Khwima Mchizi and others argued that the state had not presented sufficient evidence to justify further detention.
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CRM Austin Banda adjourned the matter to this morning, when he is expected to rule on the bail application.
The accused are alleged to have set a motor vehicle on fire, damaged another vehicle and injured several people during the incident in May this year.
Some are also facing charges in connection with a similar incident at Lilongwe Community Ground in June.
A few of the accused had previously been granted bail by Principal Resident Magistrate Benjamin Chulu but were rearrested shortly after completing their bail processes.
Their case has been adjourned to November 18, 2025.
The 11 are part of 15 people arrested by police in connection with violence offences in Lilongwe and Dowa.
