Shanzu Law Courts have given the prosecution the green light to detain Cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 27 other co-accused persons for a further 47 days pending charging or directions from the ODPP.
Mackenzie and his co-accused have so far spent close to 100 days behind bars after their arrest on May 2, 2023.
On August 2, 2023 the Director of Public Prosecution filed an application to continue detaining Mackenzie and his co-accused for further seven weeks to allow police to complete their investigation.
However, Mackenzie’s lawyer Wycliff Makasembo dismissed the application, saying the Prosecution had failed to charge his clients.
Nonetheless, Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Shikanda on Thursday said it is not reasonable to release the suspects before a thorough background check.
Shikanda said the DPP had submitted that Mackenzie and some of his co-accused have not known fixed abode rather than Shakahola, which has since been declared a disturbed scene.
“Where will they go to if released on bail or bond terms?” posed Shikanda.
He said he finds merits in the application by the DPP, therefore allowing police to hold the suspect for further 47 days.
According to the Court, the 47 days detention will run from August 2.
