The state has reinstated a charge of insulting the state president in the case against UTM Director of Youth Bon Kalindo, three weeks after withdrawing the charge citing lack of evidence.

Speaking before Chief Resident Magistrate Mzondi Mvula on Tuesday, lead state prosecutor in the case, Dr. Steven Kayuni said the move was as a result of consultations with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“Initially the file was under the prosecutor and then it was sent to the overall authority in terms of prosecutions in the country the Director of Public Prosecutions and the perusal of the file was to the effect that an amendment had to be done to the charge sheet that it should have two counts,” he said.

The case was adjourned to 12 March this year where the state will start parading its witnesses.

Dr Kayuni told YFM after the adjournment that the state was ready to start parading witnesses in the trial.

“The state was ready with parading of witnesses but counsel for hon Kalindo is engaged in other matters and communicated to court so the court obliged to the adjournment and the matter has been scheduled for another date,” he said.

Mr. Kalindo, who is also a Member of Parliament for Mulanje South Constituency was arrested in January this year on two counts of acting in a disorderly manner and insulting the state president at Balaka Police Station.