Dog Master Freed On Bail

Zimbabwean national Dean Van Schalhwal, the man whose dogs mutilated a 73-year-old house guard in Lilongwe Malawi, has finally been granted bail. Van Schalhwal was arrested July 23 after public protests following the incident.It is believed that five of Van Schalhwal’s dogs attacked and mutilated the gurad Mr. Cephas Chimdima leaving him without a nose and one ear.Granting bail to the accused this morning, presiding magistrate Chifundo Kachale said he did not agree with objections to bail based on the argument that the accused was a foreigner and would therefore jump bail. Kachale said the accused has property in Malawi and can, therefore, not bolt. The magistrate further said the accused had demonstrated substantial willingness to take care of the victim and should, therefore, be given a chance to fulfill that promise.However, Chief Resident magistrate Kachale ordered that Van Schalhwal surrenders his travelling documents and reports to the police headquarters every Wednesday.He will also pay a cash bond of K200,000.00 with two sureties, one of which should be his father – in – law. He has also been ordered to surrender title deeds for his property.Meanwhile, the court has moved to a ward at Kamuzu Central Hospital where Mr. Chimdima. He will be heard from his hospital bed.The state requested the court to accept moving to the hospital as the principal witness – Mr. Chimdima – cannot be moved to any place in the condition he is in.