Parliament interdicts Youngson Chilinda
The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has interdicted National Assembly chief security officer Youngson Chilinda who is currently answering assault charges at the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court.
Chilinda, who last week assaulted Nation Publications Limited (NPL) photojournalist Thoko Chikondi, on Monday applied for court bail.
Magistrate Ernest Chimwembe is set to make a ruling on the bail application this Tuesday afternoon.
Chilinda was seen manhandling and physically assaulting Chikondi as she was working at the Parliament building in Lilongwe last Thursday. He claimed the photojournalist was taking photographs of him without permission.
“The PSC, which is the board that hires and fires people at the Malawi National Assembly, chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, has, after a meeting on Monday, indeed interdicted Mr. Chilinda on half pay, pending court process.
“We cannot say much at this stage, until the outcome of the court case is known,” said Parliament spokesperson Leonard Mengezi.
And when the court met on Monday, Chilinda pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault levelled against him.
His lawyer, Tisilira Kaphantengo, applied for bail on grounds that the law provides for such to all accused persons unless otherwise.
However, police prosecutor Cecelia Zangazanga asked the court to ignore the defence’s application, arguing the accused person can interfere with witnesses.
“The State will parade five witnesses in this case and two of them work with Chilinda. We, therefore, envisage a situation where he might interfere with these witnesses which potentially can jeopardise the outcome of justice,” said Zangazanga.
