MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-The State has resolved to appeal against the High Court’s ruling in Mzuzu which on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 acquitted former president Peter Mutharika’s stepson Tadikila Mafubza.
Tafubza and seven others including Samuel Navaya, Duncan Kalulu, David Luhanga, Thomas Dickson Kazembe, Boniface Ngulube, Aubrey Dukes and Arnold Mwakiyelu were being accused of manslaughter and aggravated human trafficking of 30 Ethiopian nationals.
The 30 were found dead in a mass grave in Mzimba District.
Justice Gladys Gondwe acquitted the eight suspects on grounds that there was insufficient evidence.
Representing the defence, lawyer Gilbert Khonyongwa said they saw it coming as the evidence was disjointed.
He added the court took time to analyse the evidence.
The court has since ordered that the vehicles (Scania truck and Toyota Sienta) be returned to respective owners.
But posting on its Facebook Page, Ministry of Justice says Director of Criminal Litigation in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Dzikondiwanthu Malunda has consulted and a decision has been made to appeal.
The bodies of the Ethiopians were discovered in October 2022, but all the accused persons denied the charges, and the case went for full trial.