Murder suspect Lester Maganga will remain in police custody as the court has yet to rule on his bail application. Maganga is suspected of being involved in the death of Allan Wittika, a senior manager at the Coca-Cola Company in Lilongwe, who was found dead in his car in Area 15 of the capital city in September last year.

Gonjetso Dikiya, Maganga’s defense lawyer, stated that his client is awaiting the court’s decision on the bail application, recognizing the court’s authority in the matter. “We had hoped for a bail ruling, but the court has its discretion. We are now waiting to hear from the court after it reviews our application,” Dikiya said.

The High Court in Lilongwe has adjourned the case to September 17, 2024, when it will resume the hearing. The adjournment came after a request from Wittika’s family, who asked for time to mourn the recent passing of Willie Zingani, a renowned author and journalist who was also a family member. Zingani was laid to rest yesterday in Lilongwe.

Senior state advocate Papano Kamwendo mentioned that the state still has four witnesses left to testify when the court session continues on the 17th.

Maganga was previously an aide to the Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kumkuyu.