DPP’s Masangwi and other Chasowa murder suspects out on bail

The High Court in Blantyre has granted bail to Southern Region Governor of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Noel Masangwi and others who are suspected to have played a role in the death of Polytechnic student Robert Chasowa last year.

The five are Frank Julius, Sam Chulu, and Lewis Ngalande and Petros Phiri and Geoffrey Botoman whose charges were drawn from allegations that they were involved in the wielding of panga knives along the streets in Blantyre on the eve of July 20, 2011 anti government demonstrations and were arrested in July this year.

In his ruling, Judge Sylvester justice Kalembera said the respondent failed to demonstrate to the court how the suspects would jeopardize with investigations once release on bail.

On the part of Botoman and Phiri, Kalembera said the 90 days that are provided according to Criminal Procedures and Evidence Code for murder suspects to stay in custody to give room for thorough investigations elapsed in October and that the respondent did not apply for an extension.

He therefore said there was no point for the suspects to remain in custody but rather to be given bail.

All the suspects have been given bail on condition that they pay a bail bond of K200, 000 cash, provide two sureties who will pay K250, 000 each, surrender their travelling documents if they are still keeping them, report to the Sothern Region Police headquarters twice a week on Mondays and Fridays and must not leave Blantyre without the consent of the police.

Meanwhile, police in Blantyre have arrested another suspect in Nancholi who was one of the guards that were on duty the day Chasowa was murdered.

Sothern Police headquarters Nicholas Gondwa has confirmed the arrested and has identified the suspect as Harry Makina.