Court adjourns amidst threats

The High Court in Lilongwe yesterday called for an early adjournment over security threats State prosecutors have been receiving even during court proceedings.

When The Nation crew arrived at the scene, there was heavy police presence in and around court, and anyone wanting to access the courts was being asked to leave their phones in a carton.

One of the lawyers for the accused persons, Henry Kadzakumanja, confirmed the security threats to State prosecutors, but could not shed light on who was issuing them.

“Yes, the matter has been adjourned to March, but that is all I am saying,” he said.

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) deputy director Reyneck Matemba refused to comment.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source said whilst in the chambers, presiding judge Charles Mkandawire threatened to revoke bail for all the 14 accused persons as he felt the threats disturb the course of justice.

The source further said the afternoon session, which took place in the chambers, was quite tense.

“When we arrived in the afternoon, we noticed the heavy police presence and we were wondering what was happening. When we approached the State, we were briefed and advised to speak to the judge in the chambers.

“In the chambers we heard that police and State prosecutors are receiving threats and that some of the threats were being received as they were coming to court. The judge ruled that we adjourn to give time both the State and police to do their own investigation and give us an update,” said the source.

Meanwhile, during the morning session, the State paraded two witnesses—one a former procurement officer at the Ministry of Health and the other a retired principal human resources officer.

This is not the first time to have heavy police presence at the court as last year judge Fiona Mwale refused to walk a distance of about 300 metres for fear of being attacked.