The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed plans to move the judiciary to grant 180 days to continue detaining Pastor Paul Mackenzie, his 18 co-suspects, and 65 survivors.
Consequently, the ODPP has reaffirmed that it has made significant progress toward unearthing the facts behind the Shakahola genocide.
In a statement on Wednesday, DPP Renson Ingonga confirmed that his office is now awaiting the results of the DNA analysis being undertaken by the government which are to be availed in about three months.
Ingonga also said that his office will be seeking to have the court grant an application to detain the main suspect Pastor Paul Mackenzie, his 18 co-suspects, and 65 survivors for another 180 days until the analysis exercise is done.
“The continued detention of the suspects is necessitated by the fact that DNA analysis is incomplete and the process is lengthy considering the fact that the number of bodies to be analyzed against the number of DNA samples from relatives of the deceased,” said Ingonga.
The matter is scheduled for mention on October 19 in respect of Mackenzie and his 18 co-suspects while the survivors’ case will be heard on October 23.
“The Prosecution team handling the Shakahola massacre case will review the investigation files between 23rd and 28th October 2023, to determine whether or not the facts disclose any criminal culpability,” Ingonga noted.
The DPP asserted that they will remain committed to promoting human rights and will ensure that those found culpable will be charged.
