By Cathy Maulidi:
High Court Judge Mzondi Mvula has denied bail Lester Maganga, who is accused of killing a Coca-Cola Malawi Beverages sales manager Alan Wittika.
Wittika’s body was in September this year found lying in a pool of blood in his car at Lilongwe’s Area 15.
It had deep cuts in the head, according to a police report.
On October 22, the law enforcers arrested Maganga in relation to the murder.
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He appeared in court Thursday to hear a ruling on his bail application, which he made during a previous court appearance.
But Mvula has given the State space to investigate the matter further in 90 days, which he said were ideal in a murder case.
Mvula also described the application for bail as premature.
This now means Maganga will remain remanded to prison before he can reapply for bail from January 23 next year onwards.
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His lawyer Innocent Kubwalo said he would know more about the way forward after discussions with his client.
“We have heard the direction of the court; we will have to properly digest it and consider the way forward, whether to take any further steps or to wait for the period that has been directed by the court,” Kubwalo said.
On his client’s bail application being described as premature, the lawyer said he held a different view, arguing it is not mandatory that a person accused of murder should be held for such a longer period before applying for bail.
“The section that provides for a period an accused person may be held actually uses the word ‘may’, meaning it is not mandatory. But the court has decided otherwise and we respect the decision,” Kubwalo said.
In its submission, the State had argued that releasing Maganga “earlier” would allow him to interfere with witnesses.
