Supreme Court Rebuffs Chamthunya

Chamthunya leaving the courtroom Chamthunya leaving the courtroom - pic by Happy Njalam'mano

The Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed in its entirety an appeal application by murder convict, Misozi Chanthunya, who was convicted to life imprisonment.

Chamthunya was convicted for murdering his Zimbabwean girlfriend, Linda Gasa, in 2010.

Justice of Appeal, Lovemore Chikopa, who read a ruling summary on behalf of the seven-member panel of judges today in Blantyre, says the High Court ruling is therefore maintained.

Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Steve Kayuni says the soul of Linda Gasa can finally rest in peace.

“We are glad that the highest court on the land has agreed with us that the evidence in the file points to the fact that the appellant indeed committed the crime of murder.

“We are also glad that a whole journey that started in 2010 has finally come to an end and finally the soul of Ms. Linda Gasa can rest in peace,” he said.

Lawyer for Chamthunya, Michael Goba Chipeta, presented six arguments for the application.

“The first three relate to errors that the court made regarding the convictions of the offenses of murder, hindering burial of dead body and perjury.

“The fourth ground related to erroneous addition of other charges to the count of murder which my client was extradited from South Africa.

“The fifth reason related to technical point regarding Section 3 of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code that it cannot be used to cure violations of the constitution by state in obtaining and using them in court. The last ground was against the sentence,” he said.

Chipeta reserved his comment on the ruling, saying he needs to read the full judgment.

Chamthunya killed his girlfriend and buried the body in his cottage in Mangochi.

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