Mpinganjira bail hearing moved to Nov 23
The High Court of Malawi in Blantyre has shifted to November 23 hearing of an application for bail pending appeal by businessperson and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira.
His application was initially set for yesterday before High Court Judge John Chirwa.
But in a written response yesterday, High Court and Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal registrar Gladys Gondwe said she was yet to get reasons for the change in dates of the hearing.
She said: “I can confirm that the matter has indeed been shifted from today [yesterday] to November 23 2021 [Tuesday] at 10am. However, I am yet to get actual reasons why the hearing has been shifted.”
Hearing of the application was passed on to Chirwa after High Court Judge Dorothy DeGabrielle, who initially heard the case and convicted Mpinganjira, is scheduled to travel abroad for further studies.
One of the lawyer s ,representing Mpinganjira, Wanangwa Hara said they were served with a notice on the adjournment prior to yesterday.
He said: “The hearing has been adjourned at the court’s own motion. Both parties have been served by a notice of adjournment by the court. This is normal.
Mpinganjira was found guilty on September 10 2021 of attempting to bribe five judges of the High Court of Malawi that sat as a Constitutional Court and presided over the historic presidential election nullification case.
He has since indicated his intention to appeal in the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal.
He was answering to six charges under the Corrupt Practices Act, but was convicted on two
