Nomads supporters’ case hearing starts

The Balaka Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday started hearing a case involving four Mighty Wanderers supporters who are being accused of inciting violence at Balaka Stadium when their team was knocked out of the Carlsberg Cup.

The court, presided by first grade magistrate Damson Banda, who is a match assessor and former Fifa referee, heard that Richard Nsongolo, 32, Precious Banda, 36, Thengo Mankhokwe, 24 and Chrispin Masiye, 26 are answering charges of conduct likely to cause breach of peace contrary to Section 181 of the Penal Code.

Nsongolo is also being accused of unlawfully wounding sub-inspector Alick Nagumuli, sergeant Dina Moto and constable Longwe, an offence contrary to Section 241 (A) of the Penal Code.

Banda and Masiye, on the other hand, are also answering charges of escaping from lawful custody with handcuffs before they were rearrested at Chingeni Roadblock on their way to Blantyre.

The four denied the charges, but State prosecutor Winley Chikhobiri paraded three of the six witnesses to testify against the accused. Among the witnesses were two other police officers who were injured during the fracas.

“The first accused [Nsongolo] hit me with a stone at the back of my neck and I sustained an injury,” Nagumuli told the court.

During the hearing, Banda fainted in the dock and was rushed to Balaka District Hospital, prompting the magistrate to adjourn the case.