Tadikira Mafudza, a stepson to former President Peter Mutharika has pleaded not guilty to murder charges and Trafficking 30 Ethiopian nationals.

Mafubza is answering the charges alongside five other suspects Samuel Navaya, David Luhanga, Thomas Gidson, Duncan Kalulu and Bornface Ngulube.

The accused were arrested last year in connection to the 30 bodies of suspected illegal immigrants that were discovered in a mass grave inside Mtangatanga Forest Reserve in Mzimba District.

In the morning, the case failed to commence due to what the state said inconveniences after it was discovered that one accused person’s is yet to have his case committed to the High Court.

Meanwhile, the case is underway at the High Court in Mzuzu.