Former Mangochi Central legislator Victoria Kingstone and two others spent a third night in police custody yesterday after senior resident magistrate Muhammad Chande reserved his bail ruling to today.
Kingstone, along with Sanudi Sande and Asiatu Amani, are accused of conspiracy to commit murder contrary to Section 227 of the Penal Code.
The trio was arrested on Tuesday, but appeared before the Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday as Wednesday was Mother’s Day, a public holiday.
When the matter came up for hearing, police prosecutor Davie Katandika said the court lacked jurisdiction to preside over murder-related cases and that its role is limited to interpreting charges for the accused before referral to a higher court.
His statement followed a bail application filed by defence lawyer Peter Mwanjasi Mwakikunga who pleaded with the court to consider releasing the accused.
When approached for comment, Mwakikunga said he could not provide further details because he was awaiting the court’s ruling scheduled for today.
The court ordered that Kingstone and her co-accused remain in custody pending bail determination.
The three were arrested on allegations that they conspired to murder Roza Fatch Mbilizi, newly elected Democratic Progressive Party legislator for Mangochi Central. She defeated Kingstone in the September 16 General Election parliamentary race.
Through a statement posted on Facebook, Kingstone, who served the constituency from 2019 to 2025, conceded defeat and congratulated Mbilizi, pledging her support.
