The Mangochi senior resident magistrate’s court on Friday granted bail to former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator for Mangochi Central, Victoria Kingstone, along with her co-accused, Sanudi Sande and Asiatu Amani. The three are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder.
They are alleged to have plotted to kill Roza Fatch Mbilizi, the current DPP legislator for the constituency.
Kingstone and her co-accused were arrested on October 13 and 14, 2025, respectively, and appeared before the court on Thursday. Their initial appearance was delayed due to the Mother’s Day public holiday on October 15.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the court postponed its ruling on the bail application to Friday, October 17, citing the need to review procedural matters, including its jurisdiction over murder-related cases.
When the case resumed, Eastern Region Police Headquarters prosecutor Sub Inspector Asima Katete informed the court that, despite the State’s earlier objection, the case would proceed with support from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office.
“As State, we do not have the authority to object to the court’s decision, but we respect it,” said Katete.
In his ruling, senior resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande affirmed that although the lower court has limited jurisdiction in murder cases, the right to bail is enshrined in the Constitution. He therefore granted bail to the accused.
Each of the three was ordered to pay a cash bond of K500,000, provide two sureties each—each surety binding themselves to K15 million—and report to Mangochi Police Station twice a month.
Defence lawyer Peter Mwanjasi Mwakikunga welcomed the decision, stating it aligns with the legal principle that every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
The case has been adjourned to November 4, 2025, for further hearing.
