By The Forum

The High Court in Lilongwe is scheduled to hear a bail application by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

High Court Judge Mzonde Mvula announced the hearing date on Friday after granting a request by the State for more time to examine the bail application filed by the defence.

Chimwendo Banda, who is currently on remand and receiving medical treatment for a spinal condition, is seeking bail pending trial in a case in which he is accused of attempting to murder Frank Chawanda in Dowa District.

The bail application failed to proceed on Friday after the State made a preliminary request for an adjournment. State counsel Lukia Jafali asked the court for additional time to prepare a response, arguing that the application had been served at short notice and did not meet the threshold of extreme urgency required for a hearing within 48 hours.

However, lead defence counsel George Jivason Kadzipatike opposed the delay, arguing that his client’s psychological health had been adversely affected by continued detention while undergoing medical treatment under police guard. He said further delays would worsen Chimwendo Banda’s psychological well-being.

In his ruling, Judge Mvula granted the adjournment and ordered the State to file its response by Monday, December 22, 2025, before setting the bail hearing for Wednesday, December 24, at 10:00am. The court also noted that the defence had not presented a medical report or certificate to demonstrate that the matter was of extreme urgency.

In a later interview, Kadzipatike said the medical report for his client was still pending. “The results are not yet out because some tests were conducted yesterday. We are still waiting,” he said.

The High Court also upheld a directive from the lower court allowing Chimwendo Banda to remain in hospital for as long as he is unwell. Earlier this week, the Magistrate’s Court ordered that he be remanded at Maula Prison but permitted him to first receive medical treatment for his spine.

Chimwendo Banda, who was arrested last week, is jointly accused with Alfred Dala Kadula, who is currently out on bail.

Although Chimwendo Banda was not physically present in court, several senior MCP officials attended the proceedings, including party spokesperson Jessie Kabwila and her deputy, Ken Msonda.

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