High court judge Gladys Gondwe has adjourned to 17 -20th October 2023 hearing of a bail application by two new accused persons in a human trafficking and manslaughter case allegedly committed in Mzimba.

In the same dates the court is also expected to commence subsequent trial.

This comes after all the eight accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Judge Gondwe has since given defence seven days to file bail application with another seven days for state to respond.

Meanwhile both state and defence represented by Dzikondianthu Malunda and Stanley Chirwa respectively say they are happy that the case is now ready to take off.

Mutharika’s step-son Tadikila Mafubza and 7 other suspects are accused of having hand in the death of 30 foreigners found in mass grave in Mtangatanga forest in Mzimba last year.

The suspects have since pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.