The Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe has reserved its ruling on an application by the State to have human rights activist Bon Kalindo remanded to Maula Prison for seven days to enable it finish investigations in a case in which he is accused of publishing false information likely to cause public alarm.
Kalindo allegedly issued the information through a WhatsApp voice note.
Making the application, State prosecutor Louis Makiyi said the State needs to secure the gadget that Kalindo used to publish the false information.
Makiyi feared that releasing Kalindo will see him destroying evidence and that will affect the case.
“The devices are in possession of the accused. The accused will have access to the materials. He can simply delete the evidence,” said Makiyi.
However Kalindo’s lawyer Gilbert Khonyogwa objected to further detention of his client saying what the State is asking for is pre-trial punishment.
“For the state to make arrest it means they already have the voice note. They are saying they want to analyse the voice note. Should it really take 7 days to listen to the voice note,” argued Khonyogwa.
Senior resident magistrate Roderick Michongwe is expected to make his ruling on the matter tomorrow morning.
Source:NPL
