Kasambara’s lawyers involved in road accident: Sentence hearing adjourned to next week

Former Justice Minister Raphael Kasambara’s lawyers were involved in road accident on Monday forcing the High Court Judge Michael Mtambo to adjourn the sentence hearing of Kasambara in the shooting case of former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo to next week Tuesday.

The two Bright Theu, Lusungu Gondwe were involved in road accident at Nathenje while on their way to Lilongwe High Court where they were expected to make sentencing submissions for Kasambara.

Kasambara was convicted alongside former Malawi Defence Force soldier MacDonald Kumwembe and businessman Pika Manondo.

Gondwe escaped unhurt and managed to attend court proceedings while Theu sustained injuries and was rushed to Kamuzu Central Hospital in the capital Lilongwe.

Appearing before High Court Judge, Kasambara’s lawyer appealed for adjournment due to the accident, saying the incident was traumatizing.

The call was backed by the first and second accused in the case who accused the state of failing to communicate to them that they will appear in court on Monday.

Kumwembe and Manondo also told the High Court Judge that they are yet to find someone to represent them so they should be given enough time to prepare for their sentence submission.

In his rulling, Justice Mtambo gave the two, Kumwembe and Manondo to file their submissions documents to the court and the state by Thursday and the case has been adjourned to next week Tuesday 30 August 2016.

Under the Penal Code, the offence of attempted murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment whereas conspiracy to commit murder attracts a maximum jail term of 14 years.