By Lovemore Khomo
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma has on Monday testified before High Court Justice Chifundo Kachale on a report the commission issued on mysterious death of Buleya Lule.
Buleya Lule was suspected of masterminding the alleged abducting and killing of a boy with albinism in Dedza district in 2019.
Chizuma in her testimony said the complaint received by the Commission from Lule’s relatives and the voluminous complaints that awash the social media compelled them to investigate the alleged human rights violations which Lule and co-accused faced in the hands of law enforcers.
She thus said preliminary investigation was largely on human rights violations and also determining the culprits.
During cross examination, one of the defense attorneys, Lughano Mabutwa quizzed Chizuma on the methodology the commission used during investigations.
In her response, she said the Commission procured the services of pathologist to conduct post-mortem and inquiries which involved suspects and witnesses.
“We gathered that the suspect including Buleya Lule (now deceased) were severely beaten at Chitsime Police Unit so, with that revelation we recommended to the Inspector General of the Malawi Police to institute a criminal investigation and arrest all culprits.” She added.
Chizuma being the last witness it now means that the state has closed the case waiting for judgment.
Meanwhile, the defense side has asked for 45 days to file written submissions and there after the Prosecution shall file response in a period of 15 days.
Dzikondianthu Malunda representing the State has told this publication that they are ready to prepare submissions once the defense’s submission is served on them.
Chizuma gave testimony following her previous role as Ombudsman who was part of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) team that investigated the death of Lule.
