The seating High Court Judge Michael Mtambo in the capital Lilongwe on Wednesday, October 14 ordered the state council to have an independent doctor to assess the former Justice and Constitution Affair Minister Ralph Kasambara’s health within seven day in a bid to establish rightful days on his fit to stand for trial on conspiracy charges against former budget director Paul Mphwiyo.
The development comes after Judge Mtambo was not satisfied with the comprehensive health report on Kasambara by the state from Blantyre Adventist Hospital brought into the court on Wednesday, October 14 which stated that the former Attorney General was not fit for the trial within eight to ten days which is contrary to the previous two reports brought into the court on Tuesday, October 13.
On Tuesday’s submission medical report from Kasambara family Doctor Luano Kalongera said that the former Attorney General’s health needed serious observation for the next 21 days and that he could only be fit for the trial after the said days
While a letter on Kasambara’s health reference letter signed by heart specialist from Holland, Doctor David Saunders of Blantyre Adventist Hospital who is said to be the right person since is a family doctor who understands the health background of Kasambara revealed that the accused was fit for the trial after two or three days.
Regarding to these three contradicting medical reports on the same patient-Kasambara, Judge Mtambo suspected foul play on the matter on whether Kasambara was really sick or he was just faking the illness to delay the court proceedings.
Therefore, Mtambo ordered the state council through Mary Kachale, Public Prosecutions’ Director to identify an independent doctor to examine Kasambara’s health and come up with a comprehensive report within seven days as to what stage was the former Justice Minister was fit for the trial.
Judge Mtambo has been adjourned the case to October 26, 2015, the date which the court will determine on the future of Kasambara’s fitness for the trial based on an independent medical report to be identified by the state.
On Friday, September 24, 2015 Kasambara condition worsened which led prison authorities at Zomba evacuating him to Mwaiwanthu Hospital but was later referred to Adventist Hospital in Blantyre where is reportedly in the Intensive Care Unit for a heart-ailment as his condition remains critical but stable under police guard.
