Former Cabinet minister Richard Chimwendo Banda and his co-accused Alfred Dala Kadula will today file their bail application in the High Court of Malawi in Lilongwe.
However, Chimwendo Banda’s committal to prison as ordered by the magistrate’s court on Monday is still pending the outcome of medical tests.
Chimwendo Banda. | Nation
Chimwendo Banda, who is Malawi Congress Party (MCP) secretary general, is facing attempted murder charge alongside Kadula and have filed an interpartes application for bail pending trial through lawyer George Kadzipatike.
The lawyer confirmed in an interview yesterday that the application will be heard before a judge in the Criminal Division of the High Court of Malawi.
Meanwhile, Chimwendo Banda’s committal has been delayed as the State awaits medical results from tests conducted on Wednesday.
His lawyer Khwima Mchizi said the examinations were carried out at Kamuzu Central Hospital’s Lions Hospital, with results expected by today.
“Referral was made to Kamuzu Central Hospital for further tests. The expectation was that committal processes would begin, but due to my client’s health status, the process has not started,” the lawyer said.
Mchizi added that the tests were conducted with full cooperation from the State, including police escort, but said the results remain confidential in line with patient privacy rules.
Chimwendo Banda is currently admitted to a hospital in Lilongwe, where he is receiving treatment after falling ill while in police custody.
He was arrested last Friday and appeared in court on Monday after spending the weekend at Kanengo Police Station.
Kadula was earlier released on court bail after obtaining an injunction restraining the State from arresting him and 10 others in connection with the alleged assault of human rights activist Sylvester Namiwa.
The State alleges that Chimwendo Banda intended to cause the death of Frank Chawanda in Dowa District.
