Cop granted bail in abuse of office case
Assistant Superintendent of police David Mvina Mkandawire, who is answering a charge of abuse of office contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code, has been granted bail by the Blantyre Magistrate Court.
The 53-year-old is also answering other charges of breach of trust by a public officer, contrary to Section 120 of the Penal Code, and theft by public servant, contrary to Section 283 (1) of the Penal Code.
According to case number 36 of 2016, senior resident magistrate Thokozani Mpalika, on Friday, granted bail to Mkandawire, an armourer at Police Training School (PTS) in Blantyre, on conditions that he presents three sureties with a non-cash bond of K100 000 (about $147) each, and not to leave Blantyre without the knowledge of the officer-in-charge (OC) of Blantyre Police Station.
Mkandawire, who hails from Chimalawanthu Village, Traditional Authority Mwankhunikira in Rumphi, was also told not to apply for travel documents while on bail and that he presents a non-cash bond of K200 000 (about $294).
The police officer is alleged to be behind the supply of firearms and ammunitions used by five suspected criminals answering two murder charges at the same Blantyre Magistrate’s Court.
Reads Mkandawire’s first count: “David Mvina Mkandawire between 2011 and 2012 at Kanjedza Police Training School, being the person employed in the public service, namely the Malawi Police Service [MPS] abused the authority of your office by offering for sale 237 rounds of 9mm live parabellum ammunition and provided services of servicing a pistol belonging to a civilian, namely Chipiliro Gombwa without the authority of the said Malawi Police Service.” n
