Magistrate recuses himself from ‘hyena’ case

Nsanje first grade magistrate Anderson Masanjala yesterday recused himself from further presiding over a case involving the so-called ‘hyena’ Eric Aniva and Vito Nkhalamba, saying he wanted to remain neutral on the matter.

The two are answering a charge of engaging in harmful practices contrary to Section 5 Sub-sections 1-2 of Gender Equality Act of 2013.

In an interview yesterday, an official from Nsanje Magistrate’s Court, who opted for anonymity, said Masanjala told a jam-packed courtroom that his hands were tied in the face of different comments on the case from the media.

“Adjourning the case to August 24 2016, Masanjala said he will hand over the file of the case to his superiors in Blantyre,” said the source.

The development comes barely two weeks after the court refused to grant bail to Aniva and Nkhalamba. The two remain on remand pending further investigations.

Commenting on the matter, Malawi Law Society (MLS) secretary Khumbo Soko expressed hope that another magistrate will take up the case quickly for it to proceed.

Judiciary spokesperson Mlenga Mvula said the case will now be taken over by Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrate Thom Ligowe.

Forty-five-year-old Aniva was arrested on July 25 2016 following President Peter Mutharika’s directive.

The development followed an interview Aniva granted British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on July 21 in which he confessed to have slept with 104 women and girls in a cleansing ritual called fisi (hyena).

The revelations prompted Mutharika to order his arrest and that of all hyenas.

UN Women Secretary General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka backed Mutharika’s move, saying she is looking forward to a successful conclusion of the case.