The High Court has set May 31, 2022 as the day it will melt a sentence of five people convicted in the gruesome murder of MacDonald Masambuka, an albino man in Machinga.

Lawyers for the state and the defence will file their submissions on 27th May.

The accused will continue being on remand.

Meanwhile, one of the defense lawyers a Chirwa has made an application for the state to return property for his clients which were taken as part of investigations.

Chirwa said a car was taken from Limbani Kamanga- Machinga District Hospital clinician from 25th March 2018 and some phones.

He said there is nothing connecting the car and the phones to the matter.

Chirwa argued that there is no reason that the state should continue being kept by the state.

In response, Dr. Steve Kayuni, Director of Public Prosecution has said Chirwa is swallowing before chewing saying the application is premature.

He said if there are issues of forfeiture, they come as part of sentencing.

Judge Kamanga said the issue will be dealt with during sentencing.