Chizuma to testify in Lule’s death case

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma will testify in a case where 10 police officers are accused of involvement in the death of suspect Buleya Lule in police custody in February 2019.

This follows High Court of Malawi Judge Chifundo Kachale’s ruling on Thursday in favour of an application by defence lawyers to have her in the witness box.

During the previous hearing, one of the defence lawyers Lusayo Mwabuthu asked the court to allow Chizuma to testify in the case following her recommendation in a commission of inquiry conducted by the Malawi Human rights Commission (MHRC) on circumstances that led to the arrest and death of Lule in police custody in February 2019.

Chizuma, who at the time was serving as Ombudsman, is reported to have recommended the arrest of four officers from the Malawi Police Mobile Service for being implicated as among the main suspects in the torture and death of Lule.

However, the suspects were not arrested.

Mwabathu declined to comment on the matter on Thursday.

But senior assistant chief State advocate Dzikondianthu Malunda said: “The defence wants Chizuma, who was then the Ombudsman, to testify in her capacity as chairperson for the Commission of Inquiry report on the death of Lule, which she signed.”

So far, 10 accused police officers have testified in the case and they have all pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

Lule, who was arrested for allegedly masterminding the abduction of then 14-year-old boy with albinism Ganizani Fanizo in Dedza, died in police custody in Lilongwe after allegedly being electrocuted and severely injured by the police.

A medical examination by pathologist Charles Dzamalala indicated that the deceased died from loss of blood which resulted from electrocution and bodily harm.

Kachale has since adjourned the case to May 29 for further hearing and his determination of the case.

One of the defence lawyers, Wapona Kita said in an interview after the court session that the defence was satisfied with the progress of the case.