6 Mzuzu police officers granted bail
The six are Gertrude Munkhondya, Bertha Mtandi Chavula, George Kamphe, Joel Kapunda, Lucious Mpakeni and Victor Soloma.
They were arrested on Wednesday April 12 2012 in connection with the death of Natural Resources College student Edson Msiska. He died in Mzuzu Police custody on February 29 this year.
Judge Dingiswayo Madise allowed bail proceedings to go on although the State did not turn up.
In his submission through an affidavit, defence lawyer Victor Gondwe argued that the accused are Malawians and officers based at Mzuzu Police Station and have served in the service for long.
Northern Region police spokesperson said on Sunday the case is in the hands of the State advocate.
Gondwe also told the court that during the time of arrest, the police officers were not charged with any offence and also that they have family responsibilities.
He also dismissed any likelihood of tampering with evidence since investigations were done by the independent committee well before the arrests.
Madise granted bail on condition that the six surrender their travel documents, report once a week to police, pay K10 000 each cash and provide sureties of K100 000 non-cash and must report to court a day before trial. A date has not yet been set.
The court also ordered the State to charge the police officers within 60 days.
Said Gondwe in an interview on Sunday: “Everyone has the right to bail and any offence is bailable in Malawi according to Section 42 (2) (e) of the Constitution. Again, they are innocent until proven guilty.â€
