Three more witnesses including a forensic expert are expected to appear before the Magistrate Court in Blantyre on October 22, 2024, in a case involving six people accused of being found in possession of two rhino horns and two pieces of worked ivory.
The accused include Steven Kandoje, Chrissy Dailesi, Elizabeth Mpira, Helen Maunjiri, Ronex Lopanda, and Nadim Omar.
During the hearing, the court heard that the defense for the fifth accused, Lopanda, objected to the evidence provided by Detective Inspector Limbikani Chaswabande, alleging it was obtained illegally. However, Magistrate Sajida Maiden overruled the objection, allowing the state to present 11 videos recorded during the investigation.
Chaswabande told the court that Senior Counsel Gustav Kaliwo, representing Omar, was present during the search at ETG compound in Limbe on July 26, 2024. Phiri also confirmed that three of the accused were employed by Omar before their arrest.
On Thursday, the state paraded three witnesses, including a local and international forensic expert. Chaswabande, a specialized wildlife and environmental crime investigator from National Police Headquarters, and Agness Phiri, personal assistant to the sixth accused, Omar.
