Third Mphwiyo shooting suspect remanded to Maula

Third suspect in the shooting of Malawi Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo, has been remanded to Maula prison in the capital, Lilongwe following a court ruling on Tuesday to have his detention extended.

Now 11 days after Mphwiyo was shot, police over the weekend arrested Dauka Manondo after he reportedly deposited K300 000 (about $750) into a bank account of one of the initial suspects, McDonald Kumwembe.

Manondo, appeared before the Lilongwe First Grade Magistrates court where the state applied for his continued detention.

“We would like the court to consider having the suspect remain in detention. Among other reasons for this application is that investigations on the matter are still ongoing. Again, the condition of the victim is unpredictable, as such, the charge of attempted murder might change,” senior State advocate Kayikani Ntchakuwawa told the court.

Despite raising concerns over the failure by the State to adhere to the 48 hour rule, whereby any suspect is supposed to be brought before a court of law, First Grade Magistrate Patrick Chirwa ruled that Manondo remain in detention for the next 30 days.

He has since been remanded to Maula Prison where he joins the other two accused person.