Pathologist Charles Dzamalala to appeal a ruling on Kottana Chidyaonga death scandal

Well-known Pathologist Dr. Charles Dzamalala has hinted that he will appeal the ruling made by the board of the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) on the autopsy error on the death of late Kottana Chidyaonga.

Dzamalala through his autopsy report declared that Chidyaonga died of termic poison and this resulted to the arrest of Timothy Mtilosanje, a boyfriend to the deceased.

“The council discussed the case and determined that the late Kottana Chidyaonga forensic pathology report is inconsistent with standard practice for performing and issuing forensic pathology report because the laboratory he used to determine the causation of death as termic did not have reagents to elicit the levels of venom and the levels of anesthetic drug, vecuronium that maybe the most likely to contribute to the causation of death” reads the Board’s determination.

But speaking through his lawyer, James Naphambo said he is not satisfied with the ruling.

“Our client is dissatisfied with the decision and we have instructions to appeal,” said Naphambo.

The late Chidyaonga died controversially in January 2020 and following her death, four people, including her boyfriend Timothy Mtilosanje, were arrested to answer murder charges but they were later acquitted by the High Court for lack of evidence.