BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)–Norman Chisale, head of security for former president Peter Mutharika, has been remanded to Chichiri Prison for seven more days after appearing before Blantyre Magistrate Court on Monday morning on attempted murder charge.
Meanwhile, the court has ordered the Director of Public Prosecutions to commit Chisale to the High Court, failing which; the Magistrate’s Court will review his remand.
Chief Resident Magistrate Simeon Mdeza presided over the case.
After spending three days in police custody following his initial arrest on Tuesday last week on fraud and money laundering charges, Chisale on Friday briefly made bail, only to be taken back into police custody following the attempted murder charge.
Chisale is accused of shooting a woman in Blantyre as he was wrestling with thugs who are said to have raided his house in Chimwankhunda Township.
Even though the woman who was shot by former President Peter Mutharika’s aide Norman Chisale has withdrawn the attempted murder charges, Malawi Police insisted will commit the case to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for direction since it is criminal in nature.
In an affidavit of withdrawal of complaint, the woman who was shot, Sigele Amani, said she was withdrawing charges that may be leveled against Chisale as the man had apologised.
“I am hereby withdrawing any charges that may have been levelled against Mr Paulosi Norman Chisale as it is not my intention to have him prosecuted for something which he did not intend to do,’’ reads part of the affidavit, sworn under Commissioner of Oaths in Blantyre.
According to Amani, Chisale told her that the shooting was accidental as he was defending himself against robbers. She also said Chisale has been providing all the assistance she required.
“When I was walking, I saw three cars passing by going the Nkolokosa direction to Kudya and as the third car passed by, I felt as if my foot had stepped on a glass that burst.
“I was later taken to Soche Police Station for attention where I was recorded a statement and then went to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. On the same night, Mr Chisale came on the hospital bed and apologised, saying it was accidental as he did not anticipate that the bullet would hit me,’’ Amani said.
Legal commentator Professor Edge Kanyongolo said it is only the state that can withdraw criminal cases.
“A criminal case cannot depend on whether somebody withdraws or not, it is a matter between the state and the accused so it is the state which decides, only the state has the power to decide whether to withdraw or not,’’ Kanyongolo said.
The arrest of Norman Chisale and others who are believed to be connected to the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has angered supporters of the party, thereby describing the arrests as one way of frustrating the opposition.