Court finds Wandale, Nsikita with case to answer

The Blantyre Magistrate’s Court yesterday found People’s Land Organisation leader Vincent Wandale and co-accused Tendai Nsikita with a case to answer on three counts of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour, unauthorised use of land and criminal trespass.

However, in her ruling, senior resident magistrate Thokozani Soko acquitted Wandale and his deputy Chrispin Nkhoma on the count of inciting violence.

“Based on the witnesses paraded in this court, it is a prima facie case. The two have a case to answer as it is clear that they conspired to commit a misdemeanour and that they trespassed on Conforzi Tea Estate premises on September 1,” she said.

Nkhoma, who was given a suspended sentence on the first three counts after he was convicted on his own plea of guilty, was freed soon after the acquittal.

The court has since set Monday October 3 as the day trial will start.

In an interview outside the court, Wandale’s lawyer Michael Goba Chipeta said he had not yet discussed with his client on how many witnesses they will parade in court.

The two were arrested in connection with an incident that happened on September 1 2016 at Conforzi Tea Estate where hundreds of villagers invaded the estate and started sharing land for permanent settlement and cultivation.

They claimed the land belonged to their forefathers.