Malawi Judge Masanjala recuses himself  in Aniva ‘Hyena’ case 

NSANJE-(MaraviPost)-Nsanje First Grade Magistrate Anderson Masanjala has recused himself from further presiding over the case involving Aniva- The Hyena, saying he wants to remain neutral on the matter.

Magistrate Masanjala told the jam packed courtroom that his hands were tied up considering many issues he has been hearing from people on the case.

Masanjala said it was necessary for him to remain neutral on the matter to avoid messing up the court proceedings.

Judge Masanjala therefore said he will hand over the file’s case to Southern Regional Chief Resident who will assign another judge to take over the case.

The development comes barely two weeks after the same court refused to grant bail application to Aniva pending police’s thorough investigation on the matter.

This also means that Aniva will remain in police custody till August 25, 2016 when the trial will resume in court.

The Nsanje based Aniva was arrested on July 25, 2016 following President Mutharika’s directive.

Aniva, 45 was detained after he confessed to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) television interviewer on July 21 that he defiled more than 100 adolescent girls as part of initiation rites into womanhood and sleeping with widows in a sexual cleansing ritual when all in all was HIV positive.

During the interview with the BBC, Aniva disclosed that locals used to pay him money in the range of £3 to £5 to perform the sex rituals.

Aniva added that as a hyena, the main duty is overseeing a coming-of-age ritual, where girls take part in sex over a three-day period after their first menstruation.

Eric who hails from Chiphwembe Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Malemia in Nsanje district will face life sentence if found guilty of underage sex.

However, Malawi Law Society (MLS) through its lawyer Mandala Mambulasa offered to represent Aniva in court.