Detained erstwhile governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda is at a hospital in Lilongwe receiving medical care after he fell sick while in police custody.
His lawyer Khwima Mchizi said in an interview yesterday that Chimwendo Banda underwent some tests whose outcome will determine the date he can go on remand to Maula Prison in the capital city as ordered by the court.
But the lawyer declined to name the hospital his client is receiving treatment citing privacy.
Said Mchizi: “The State did the right thing in giving direction and my client was taken to hospital on Monday evening.
“He is being attended to and the final results are not yet out. When the results are out, we might have a clear direction on it. For confidentiality purposes, I will not disclose where he is receiving medical treatment.”
On whether there is a possibility of seeking bail after his client is committed to Maula Prison, he said they will be seeking bail, but could not indicate the specific date for the application.
Chimwendo Banda, who is also member of Parliament for Dowa East, was arrested on Friday in Lilongwe and appeared in court on Monday after spending the weekend in custody at Kanengo Police Station.
Mchizi: The State did the right thing. | Nation
The State on Monday charged Chimwendo Banda alongside Alfred Dala Kadula with attempted murder.
Lilongwe chief resident magistrate Austin Banda ordered that Chimwendo Banda should be remanded to prison, but be allowed to access medical treatment from a hospital of his choice after his lawyer alerted the court that he was unwell.
The State sought to have the matter committed to the High Court of Malawi and prayed for their further remand.
But lawyer George Kadzipatike on Monday objected, arguing that Kadula could not be arrested or detained because he was among 11 suspects protected by a court order restraining the State from further arrests and detention in relation to political violence cases.
The court on Monday learnt that Chimwendo Banda has a long-standing medical condition and was referred to South Africa for treatment in 2024. It also came to light that the condition resurfaced while he was in police custody.
Meanwhile, the MCP hierarchy has accused government of engaging in political persecution, arguing that the arrests of its members are intended to divert attention from pressing national challenges.
MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu told a news conference on Monday that the arrests of Chimwendo Banda, party publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila and former president Lazarus Chakwera’s running mate in the September 16 General Election Vitumbiko Mumba were politically-motivated.
Kabwila and Mumba were released on bail on Monday.
