News / Africa
Security officer who assaulted photojournalist granted bail
04 Jun 2013 at 09:33hrs | Views
Lilongwe, Malawi -The Lilongwe Magistrate Court has granted bail to Youngson Chilinda, the chief security officer at the Parliament of Malawi who is being charged with ‘assault occasioning bodily harm’ on female photojournalist, Thoko Chikondi.
Chilinda, a former soldier, pleaded not guilty to the charge and denies assaulting Chikondi.
After pointing out that the prosecuting team had failed to sufficiently prove that Chilinda would interfere with investigations if released on bail, Magistrate Ernest Chimwembe set bail at MK10,000 (approximately US$30), ordered Chilinda to surrender his passport and to report to the nearest police station to his house every Monday.
A trial date will be set in due course.
Reports say Chilinda, on Thursday, 30 May 2013, punched Chikondi several times and obstructed her from executing her professional duties. The journalist was assaulted as she photographed a consumer rights advocate, John Kapito, who had just presented a petition to the national assembly.
Chikondi, who reports for one of MalawiÂ’s biggest newspaper companies, Nation Publications Limited (NPL), sustained bruises on the back as well as soft tissue damage and was treated at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
Meanwhile, The Nation of Tuesday, 4 June 2013 reports that the Parliamentary Service Commission has interdicted the chief security officer on half pay pending the court outcome. This means that Chilinda will not report for duties until the case, which is expected to take a while, is concluded and he is not convicted.
Chilinda, a former soldier, pleaded not guilty to the charge and denies assaulting Chikondi.
After pointing out that the prosecuting team had failed to sufficiently prove that Chilinda would interfere with investigations if released on bail, Magistrate Ernest Chimwembe set bail at MK10,000 (approximately US$30), ordered Chilinda to surrender his passport and to report to the nearest police station to his house every Monday.
Reports say Chilinda, on Thursday, 30 May 2013, punched Chikondi several times and obstructed her from executing her professional duties. The journalist was assaulted as she photographed a consumer rights advocate, John Kapito, who had just presented a petition to the national assembly.
Chikondi, who reports for one of MalawiÂ’s biggest newspaper companies, Nation Publications Limited (NPL), sustained bruises on the back as well as soft tissue damage and was treated at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
Meanwhile, The Nation of Tuesday, 4 June 2013 reports that the Parliamentary Service Commission has interdicted the chief security officer on half pay pending the court outcome. This means that Chilinda will not report for duties until the case, which is expected to take a while, is concluded and he is not convicted.
Source - MISA
