From Pulpit to Dock: High-Profile Malawian Preacher Set for November 20 Bail Ruling
Lilongwe, Malawi— A high-profile Malawian preacher accused of murdering a bank employee could soon walk out of custody after state prosecutors revealed in court that they will not oppose his release on bail.
Bishop Medram Felix Chirwa, who heads the Fountain of Victory Church in Lilongwe, appeared before the High Court’s Criminal Division in Lilongwe as legal arguments concluded over his bid for freedom. Justice Ngwira Mwakibinga has reserved November 20 to deliver his ruling on the application.
The charismatic cleric was arrested on October 6 in connection with the murder of Tathokoza Salimu, a worker at FDH Bank. Salimu’s body was found abandoned inside her vehicle on September 21 at Chinkhota Village near Tatolonga Bridge in Dowa District, in a case that has gripped public attention across the country.
During the proceedings, state prosecutor Hassan Ayami from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions told the court that while the state does not object to bail, it wants strict conditions placed on the bishop’s release. Among these, the prosecution is demanding that Chirwa report to the DPP Criminal Registry every fortnight starting November 21 to ensure closer supervision.
The state has also asked the court to order a registered property bond valued at not less than K300 million, alongside two sureties bound at K20 million each.
Additional conditions proposed include the surrender of all travel documents, a strict requirement for court permission before leaving the country, and an order restraining Chirwa from interfering with state witnesses or ongoing investigations.
However, defence lawyer Joseph Chiume pushed back against the state’s proposed schedule, arguing that reporting every two weeks would be overly burdensome for his client and advocating instead for a monthly reporting requirement.
With both sides having presented their positions, Justice Mwakibinga adjourned the matter to November 20, when the court will decide whether the bishop returns home or remains behind bars pending his trial.
