High Court assesses sureties in Buleya case

The High Court is today scheduled to assess sureties for 13 police officers who were arrested in connection with the murder of Buleya Lule, a suspect who died in police custody last year.

The 13, including former Acting Commissioner of Police (Centre) Evalista Chisale,  were granted bail on Friday but are still in custody because the court is yet to assess their sureties.

One of the lawyers in the case, Enoch Chibwana, said the sureties have already been identified and the court will this afternoon start assessing them in Lilongwe.

He said the assessments will determine whether the 13 should be released on bail.

Said Chibwana: “The suspects have not been released because the court will have to assess their sureties first. Once their sureties have been assessed and the court is satisfied that they are capable, then the suspects will be released.”

According to the lawyers, the court granted the 13 bail on condition that each suspect should  produce two non-cash sureties each bonded at K500 000. The court will have to examine if the 26 sureties are potential sureties.

The suspects are also expected to surrender travel documents. They will also not to be allowed to leave Lilongwe without informing the commissioner of police and will be required to report once every fortnight to police.

The suspects are also to ensure their availability once needed and are not to interfere with witnesses in any way.

The 13 are accused of having had a hand in the death of Lule who was a suspect in a case to do with the abduction of a 14-year-old boy with albinism.

Lule, 44, later died in police custody in February 2019 after he stated that he would reveal people engaged in the abductions and killings of persons with albinism.