By Wendy Mkandawire
The High Court in Lilongwe has reserved its ruling on a bail application by Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives, Sylvester Namiwa, who is facing charges of treason and publication of false news likely to cause alarm to the public.
Presiding over the case on Thursday in Lilongwe, Judge Mzonde Mvula heard submissions from the defence and the State on the bail application in chambers, as Namiwa was not present because the matter was being heard in chambers and he is still under State custody.
In his remarks Defence lawyer Gift Mwenye pleaded with the court to grant Namiwa bail, saying the State was not objecting to the application.
After High Court Judge Mzonde Mvula reserved his ruling on the bail application by the Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives, Sylvester Namiwa, who is facing charges of treason and publication of false news likely to cause alarm to the public, defence lawyer Gift Mwenye pleaded with the court to consider reducing the K2 million bond, citing Namiwa’s limited income.
Mwenye says the State proposed several bail conditions, including a K2 million bond, two sureties bonded at K3 million each in non-cash, surrendering of travel documents, reporting to the police every fortnight on Fridays, and refraining from granting interviews on matters relating to his arrest.
On the other hand, State lawyer Tapiwa Msimuko says the State was in agreement with the bail application as the investigations for the matter had been concluded.
The court has since adjourned the matter to a later date to scrutinize the proposed bail conditions and Namiwa will remain in State custody until the court makes its ruling on the application.
