The High Court in Lilongwe has ordered the re-arrest of Precious Billiat, a suspect in the 2023 murder of two Chinese nationals, following her recent presidential pardon. According to Face of Malawi, Justice Eddah Ngwira-Mwakibinga ruled that presidential pardons apply only to convicted individuals, not to suspects whose cases are still pending before the courts. State prosecutor Dzikondianthu Malunda requested to remove Billiat from the case to allow the trial of the remaining suspects to continue, but the judge rejected the application. The court directed that she be included in the proceedings when the trial resumes on August 4.
In Dowa District, police are managing a pair of separate violent crime investigations. Mponela Police arrested Amosi Nefitale, a man from Kasereka Village, on suspicion of raping a nine-year-old girl. Face of Malawi reports that the suspect allegedly pulled the child into his home to commit the offense. Meanwhile, authorities in Dowa are also investigating the death of an unidentified motorcycle taxi operator whose body was discovered near Chinkhali Village. Residents indicated that the operator was attacked by unknown individuals while working on Monday night.
At the national level, the Office of the President and Cabinet issued a strong denial regarding allegations of government corruption involving South African businessman Zunaid Moti. According to the Nyasa Times, social media reports claimed Moti had been granted a secret diplomatic position and special mining licenses in exchange for political donations. Chief Secretary Justin Saidi dismissed the allegations as completely false, clarifying that Moti holds no government contracts and that a strict moratorium on issuing new mineral licenses remains in effect.