13 police officers accused of murdering Buleya Lule, prime suspect in the abduction and murder of a 14-year-old boy with albinism from Dedza District, have pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder, grievous harm and negligence.

The officers appeared before High Court Judge Dorothy DeGrabrielle for plea taking on Tuesday in Lilongwe.

The case has since been adjourned to May 17 and will run up to May 21, 2021 where the State is expected to parade 13 witnesses

Masauko Chamkakala is Legal Aid Bureau Director and he is representing Richard Kalawire, third accused person.

“Today was for plea and directions, the accused persons had to state whether they are pleading guilty or not to the charges against them and directions in terms of how we are going to manage this case.

“So the court is saying that we should come for trial on the 17th for the whole week until 21 May 2021, if at all there will be still witnesses from the State we may extend accordingly,” said Chamkakala.

The first accused person Paul Chipole and the 13th accused person Evalista Mvula are the only ones who are answering an offence negligently not preventing somebody to be harmed, and they have all pleaded not guilty.

All the 13 accused persons are currently on court bail and remain interdicted.

According to a Malawi Human Rights Commission’s (MHRC) report of an investigation into the death of Lule in police custody, it is a fact that the Victim was tortured to death whilst in Police custody.