High Court sets guidelines

The High Court in Mzuzu has issued guidelines for a case in which a businessperson and his mother are demanding compensation from government over assault by the then Karonga Police officer in-charge during the 2011 July 20-21 protests.

The court earlier dismissed an application on the matter due to non-attendance.

But the case was listed for hearing on Wednesday, a development that sent Mzuzu visiting judge Ivy Kamanga wondering how the matter found itself on the judge’s desk.

Kamanga said the matter was not ready for hearing as it was dismissed and was not restored. She said there were also no guidelines on the case.

The matter has since been scheduled for October 1 2015 and will be heard by a visiting judge assigned in the month of October.

Senior State Advocate Madalitso Kausi said they will be ready with documents within the given time frame.

Plaintiff’s lawyer Tadala Tembo alleged that his clients were assaulted by a police officer in Karonga on July 21 2011.

He claimed that the officer went to a bakery belonging to his client, Wakisa Mwenefumbo, where he allegedly threatened to shoot people in the bakery.

In the process, alleged Tembo, he assaulted Mwenifumbo who, along with his mother, were also traumatised by the officer’s action.n