M

zuzu City Mayor Gift Nyirenda, who was arrested on August 13 this year for allegedly defiling his 14 year old niece, was on Wednesday charged with three more counts, meaning he will now be answering four counts on the case.

The State, through lead prosecutor Moja Phiri, amended the charge sheet to include two defilement charges for allegedly defiling a girl under the age of 16 on August 1 and August 3 contrary to Section 138 (1) of the Penal Code.

The other two charges are having sexual intercourse with a minor under one’s care and protection contrary to Section 159 (b) of the Penal Code on August 1 and August 3 2022.

Nyirenda during a previous court appearance

However, Nyirenda’s lawyer, Davie Lameck, asked the court to allow them more time to review the new charge sheet amendment as it was presented to them right in court.

But after recess, senior Mzuzu resident magistrate Felix Kamtsaila turned down the request.

The magistrate also rejected another prayer for the court to move to the crime scene to enable people to have a picture of what happened, considering the nature of the crime.

In an interview, Lameck said despite the court overruling their objections, they will move on.

“That’s how it goes and it does not mean that all applications are accepted by the court, if they are not accepted, you move on,” he said.

However, Lameck complained about multiplicity of cases, which Phiri denied.

“There is no multiplicity of cases as all counts happened on different dates by the same accused,” said Phiri.

The court hearing started with the survivor as a witness and it was heard in camera.

The court adjourned the case to October 18 this year.

Nyirenda was granted bail on August 20.

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