Chanthunya seeks bail as trial starts
The Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal is yet to decide on a bail application pending an appeal filled by murder suspect Misonzi Chanthunya.
Chanthunya, who was extradited to Malawi from South Africa on March 1 this year and is on remand at Chichiri Prison in Blantyre, applied for the bail pending an appeal to the upper court after the High Court in Zomba denied him the same last month on the premise that he was a flight risk and that the nature of his case warrants that he stays in custody.
Yesterday, the State, represented by Pirirani Masanjala and Dziko Malunda from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP); and Chrispin Ngunde representing Chanthunya, presented their arguments before Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Dunstan Mwaungulu.
Chanthunya also wants the case to be heard by a nine-member full panel of Supreme Court Judges, which the State also challenged yesterday.
After hearing both sides, Mwaungulu adjourned the case and said he would communicate with both parties on the court’s next decision.
Meanwhile, full trial of Chanthunya starts today at the High Court in Zomba before Judge Redson Kapindu.
He is a prime suspect in the 2010 murder of 25-year-old Linda Gasa, who was believed to be his girlfriend.
