The state has for the second time amended charge sheets in a human trafficking and manslaughter case involving former president Peter Mutharika’s step son Tadikira Mafuza and five others.
The development pushes further the commencement of trial to August 29 for the defence lawyers to have adequate time to examine the new charge sheet and respond accordingly.
Speaking to MIJ Online, Limbikani Msiska senior state advocate said the amendment has been made to clearly state how the crimes were committed and ensure that the accused know exactly what charges they are answering.
“We thought of amending the charge sheet to include certain particulars in order to reflect how the offenses were committed and ensure that it is clear to the court and the accused,” said Msiska.
However, Stanly Chirwa one of the defence lawyers while expressing his satisfaction with how the case is progressing has advised the state to put its house in order.
The court has therefore adjourned the case to August 29 to give the defence enough time to respond to the amended charge sheet as well as give the state time to examine the response from the defence.
Meanwhile, high court judge Gladys Gondwe has granted bail to Samuel Navaya one of the accused who has been in custody since his arrest last year.
Among the conditions for his release Navaya is required to provide a bail bond of one and a half million kwacha and provide two sureties bonded at a sum of three million kwacha and is expected to be reporting to police once in a fortnight.
Tadikira and others namely Duncan Kalulu, Samuel Navaya, Thomas Kazembe, Boniface Nguluwe and Davidi Luhanga were arrested last year on suspicion that they had a hand in the trafficking of about thirty Ethiopian nationals whose bodies were found buried in a mass grave at Mtangatanga forest in Mzimba district.-(Story Credit: MIJ ONLINE)
