By Isaac Salima:
The Constitutional Court sitting in Blantyre Wednesday set June 17, 2025 as the day it will commence hearing the treason case pertaining to former vice president Cassim Chilumpha.
The case, where Chilumpha is answering charges of plotting to assassinate former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika, was referred to the Constitutional Court after the defendants applied that the court should decide whether the case should continue.
Lawyer for Chilumpha, Kalekeni Kaphale, argued that the trial had taken a long time and that the Constitutional Court should, therefore, determine whether the case’s delay is reasonable and does not infringe on the defendant’s right to fair trial.
Yesterday, the case went for a scheduling conference where a panel of three constitutional judges— namely Justus Kishindo, Charlotte Malonda and Bruno Kalemba—gave directions that both parties should follow.
Malonda said the defence should file its skeleton arguments within 14 days and that the State should also respond within 14 days thereafter.
She said the case would be back in court on June 10, 2025 for a pre-trial conference before the beginning of actual hearing on June 17, 2025.
Chief State advocate Pilirani Masanjala said they would wait for the time they would be served with skeleton arguments from the defendants to see how to challenge the matter.
“When the matter comes to the Constitutional Court, it means that hearing in regional courts is stayed. So, we have to first finish proceedings here and then hear the ruling of the constitutional panel,” he said.
The Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions are representing the State in the matter while Kaphale is Chilumpha’s legal representative.
Chilumpha and former politician Yusuf Matumula have been answering treason charges dating back to 2006, when they were accused of plotting to kill the late Mutharika.
After almost two decades of court battles, the State last year dropped Chilumpha’s charges.
But, last month, the High Court ordered the restoration of the case after the State applied to revive it.
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