The High Court sitting in Nkhata-Bay has convicted two men and acquitted two others for the murder of Yassin Kwenda Phiri, a man with albinism who was gruesomely butchered on new year’s eve of 2018.
Kwenda Phiri was murdered at Mbamba in Nkhata Bay aged 57 for which judge Dorothy de’Gabrielle yesterday convicted Frank Mkweni Thonje and Bonzo Chirwa.
Seven suspects, including the two convicts, Frank Mkweni Khonje, 21 and Bonzo Chirwa, 54 both from Traditional Authority Fukamapiri in the district, were arrested following police investigation.
During plea, the convicts denied the charge, prompting the State to parade nine witnesses.
After diagnosis of the evidence presented by both State and defence witnesses, the court found insufficient evidence that led to the acquital of the other three suspects.
In penultimate court proceedings on March 24, 2021, whereby the remaining four suspects appeared in court, Judge Justice Dorothy Degabriel found Khonje and Chirwa guilty while the other two were acquitted, citing insufficient evidence.
The high court is yet set a date for sentencing. Meanwhile, the convicts remain in custody.
