Instead, the state applied for an adjournment to a later date to allow the prosecutor travel from Lilongwe to proceed with the matter.
This is the case which Esnat Selemani and her daughter, Yankho, are being accused of assaulting a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
Magistrate Akkya Mwanyongo, who ordered during the previous court session that the case be concluded on Thursday, did not hide his displeasure with state conduct.
Mwanyongo told state that its administrative arrangements should not suffocate cases in his court.
“Do you mean there is no other police officer to take over the matter?” asked Mwanyongo.
“I’m really at pains to adjourn the matter. This court doesn’t like matters to stall. I adjourn the case to September 3rd, 2021. I will only attend to this case,” said the magistrate.
Defense lawyer, Rodgers Mpombeza, who brought all the witnesses to conclude the matter on the day, was equally not pleased.
“We planned to finish the matter today. Keeping adjourning the matter will keep inconveniencing some of the witnesses who are medical officers.
“My clients want to see this case finished and know their verdict,” he said.
The accused allegedly assaulted the nurse, Gertrude Moffat, in the ward as she asked them to leave because guardians were not allowed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
