The Board of the Medical Council of Malawi has found Pathologist, Dr. Charles Dzamalala guilty for “definitively concluding that the late Kottana Chidyaonga died of termic poison”.
The determination of the board follows a complaint from late Kottana’s boyfriend, Timothy Mtilosanje, who did not approve of Dzamalala’s autopsy report on cause of Kottana’s death.
“The council discussed the case and determined that the late Kottana Chidyaonga forensic pathology report is inconsistent with standard practice for performing and issuing forensic pathology report because the laboratory he used to determine the causation of death as termic did not have reagents to elicit the levels of venom and the levels of anesthetic drug, vecuronium that maybe the most likely to contribute to the causation of death” reads the Board’s determination.
As a punishment, the board has issued a written warning to Dr. Dzamalala. Kottana died in January 2020 under controversial circumstances. Four people, including Timothy the boyfriend, were arrested for murder charges but the High Court acquitted the four in August 2020 for lack of evidence.
Dissatisfied with the High Court judgement, the State appealed to the Supreme Court which upheld the decision of the High Court. Medical Council of Malawi Registrar Dr. Davie Zolowere, has confirmed the determination and that communication has already been sent to concerned parties.
Pathologist Dr. Charles Dzamalala, speaking through his lawyer James Naphambo, says he is dissatisfied with the decision of the board of the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) and he intends to appeal.
Naphambo said: “Our client is dissatisfied with the decision and we have instructions to appeal”
On the other hand, late Kottana’s boyfriend, Timothy Mtilosanje whose complaint is the basis for the Board’s determination says will sue both Dzamalala and the State over this matter.
Timothy, speaking through his lawyer Khwima Mchizi, said the outcome of the board’s investigations vindicate their fears that the Dzamalala’s autopsy report was not trustworthy.
“My client has suffered reputation damage and also got imprisoned largely because of this medical report. Someone has to be held accountable. We will surely sue the State and the medical practitioner”
