Court reserves bail ruling on Kalindo
Eastern Region chief resident magistrate Mzondi Mvula yesterday reserved to Monday his ruling on a bail application by UTM director of youth Bon Kalindo.
Kalindo, the Mulanje South legislator, was arrested Thursday and charged with disorderly conduct contrary to Section 153 (1) of the Police Act as well as insulting the President contrary to Section 4 of the Protected Flags, Emblems and Names Act.
The court in Zomba, through Eastern Region police prosecution officer Christopher Katani, heard that on January 6 2019 Kalindo invaded Balaka Police Station to force the men in uniform release two UTM Party members who were arrested for misdemeanor at the launch of Chiwanja cha Ayao in the district.
Katani said that Kalindo was arrested for insulting President Peter Muthrika as he prodded the police to release his felow party members.
The prosecutor further told the court that police made the arrest Kalindo at the scene as they had no warrant of arrest until January 10 2019 as they did not have a warrant then.
The State asked the court for seven days to thoroughly investigate the matter while Kalindo is being kept on remand at the Zomba Maximum Prison.
In his application for bail lawyer Kondwani Kumitengo said Kalindo should be granted bail, as he cannot be kept on remand when there is no evidence that he committed the cited crime.The lawyer further said Kalindo being a citizen of the country is entitled to be granted bail. He said kalindo is also a legislator, businessman, married with three children as well as a committee member in the parliamentary Committees of Agriculture and Media, attributes that can make him to appear before the court when needed.
But Mvula said he needed enough time to examine the petitions by both sides and adjourned the case to Monday January 14 2019 at noon to determine whether or not Kalindo can be released on bail.
The court premises were heavily manned by armed police although at a distant UTM supporters danced and sang in support of Kalindo. n
