LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Lilongwe Magistrate Court has set aside a police search warrant targeting the residence of former President Lazarus Chakwera, pending a full hearing to determine the warrant’s validity.
The warrant was related to allegations of Chakwera’s illegal possession of four security dogs – one Dutch Shepherd and three Malinois.
Chakwera’s lawyer, George Jivason Kadzipatike, successfully argued that the State misled the court to obtain the warrant.
“The Court has granted a stay order on the search warrant pending the determination of our application to completely vacate the warrant. What it means is that the warrant is no longer in force,” Kadzipatike said.
The warrant was initially issued by Magistrate Robert Botha, who heard the case challenging its validity. Kadzipatike presented a fresh bail application for Godfrey Jalalé, the primary suspect, with the court expected to rule on bail today, Friday. .
The allegations stem from claims that the dogs, procured for presidential protection duties, were moved to Chakwera’s custody without approval, posing a potential security risk to the incumbent Head of State.
