Defence rejects autopsy findings in murder case

Lawyer for a Karonga police officer Victor Chawinga, who allegedly killed a Botswana national Onkeme Ramasu in 2015, has rejected findings by pathologist Charles Dzamalala in the murder case.

In affidavits submitted to the High Court in Mzuzu which The Nation has seen, defence lawyer Christon Ghambi objects to have Dzamalala’s findings used in the court, arguing that Chawinga was not informed of the exhumation for him or his representative to witness it.

He also says his client was within Karonga and it would only have been fair and just if he was allowed to be part of the process.

Ramasu, a police officer who was working at Chache Bridge Post in Northern Botswana, came to Malawi in 2015 to look for traditional medicine and was allegedly shot dead by Chawinga while he was trying to escape after being questioned.

Ramasu, who was found dead in Kiwe River, was first suspected to have drowned.

He was buried in Karonga, but his body was later exhumed following investigations.

After the exhumation, Dzamalala conducted an autopsy which indicated the deceased was shot dead.

The autopsy established that at least one gunshot was involved and the bullet penetrated the body through lower neck structures on the body surface.

The report also indicates that a visit to the scene further demonstrated how he was shot from the lower end of the neck through the chest.

Hearing of the case resumes in three weeks.