A Ndola Magistrate Court has acquitted and send to a Mental Institution a 56 year old British National for Malicious damage of property of worth millions of Kwacha.
Magistrate Elston Kafunyi acquitted Peter Ravensdale of 9 Minsundu farms in Ndola after receiving a medical report that the accused was suffering from mental illness called Bipolar one disorder.
Ravensdale on January 5 this year willfully damaged house windows, tyres of a motor vehicle and other goods worth millions of kwacha belonging to Runewell Ravensadale.
During trail, three witnesses testified in his case.
Ravendale was later found with a case to answer and when put on defense, he provided one witness, his father Runewell Ravensdale.
His father testified that his son was suffering from a mental illness called Bipolar one disorder and produced a medical report.
He told the court that his son was detained at Chinama Hills Hospital but was later discharged because he did not receive proper medication.
The Witness told the court that his son at one point tempted to set his farm ablaze as well as to drive on a closed gate.
In acquitting the accused, Magistrate Kafunyi said Ravensdale had no lawful justification of damaging the property.
“ I m a satisfied that the evidence before this court justifies a defense on insanity, accordingly, I make a special finding that the accused is not guilty by reasons of insanity,”
“I order that the accused be sent to Metal Institution where he shall be detained under president’s pleasure,” he said.
“I order that the accused be sent to Metal Institution where he shall be detained under president’s pleasure,” the ndola magistrate said
that judgement sound funny….hahahhahahahah
Seriously , I think the magistrate has misdirected himself. He is not a mental health expert for him to pass that sort of judgement. He should have sought the opinion of a medical professional. A Bipolar disorder is not something you confine people for. Peter’s condition can be managed at home on drugs. With the state of mental institutions in Zambia; Peter’s condition will get worse. I hope Mr Ravensdale will fight to have his son receive home care.
hahahaha…..”under the president’s pleasure”……and our president is also mental, so kaya
@Ndobo, you’re next,lol!
I know Runewell Ravensadale. He is a good man and a Zambia despite divorcing his wife. yes his son has a mental problem. bushe why should his son be confined to a mental institution at the president’s pleasure? funny judge.
You mean he wouldn’t be Zambian if he had not divorced his wife.
Sickness, Detain and Pleasure?
That is a serious violation of human rights supported by the Mental Disorders Act 1951 which is in conflict with international human rights law- convention on the rights of persons with disabilities – non discrimination on account of disability. Why criminalise mental illness by compulsory detention in metal institution without proper medical instructions. What if the if the accused makes reasonable medical progress? Should his detention remain indefinite? The court should not order the accused to be detained by rather order his family to ensure that the accused receives appropriate medical care even if it amounts to long hospitalization.
It is also confusing to note that the complainant is the same witness who provided evidence in defence of the accused. What sense is there?
Good judgement.
Bipolar can be controlled with anti-psychotic medication, otherwise patients can be a danger to others and themselves.
Bloggers above have rushed to comment on something they dont seem to know. Zambian law detains people who have been found to have comitted an offence when they are deranged under President’s pleasure. The magistrate is not bootlicking. The magistrate used a medical report as evidence.
1.2 Mambala that could be right only if we agree that Ba Mambala is also mental.
I know Peter Ravensdale well and this judgement is neither fair nor sensible.You cannot expect someone to recover without treatment and Chainama hills is not in a position to ameliorate his condition.It doesn’t have generators or water at present,let alone drugs.In addition, his human rights are being violated,since no one can be held at anyone’s pleasure.Send him home to the UK before you kill him
This is a blatant human rights error though I’m quite sure it was done in ignorance rather than with malice. May the Judge in question be forgiven by the Almighty for his lack of understanding. I can only pray someone helps the court see sense before all those responsible are accountable for the loss of Peter Ravensdale’s life. This will surely be the result if he is not freed and given proper medical attention.
Praying will make no difference. If you are that concerned do something real, practical and useful. Praying is merely an excuse for doing nothing.
Dear Sal,
As a British National, is Pete not entitled British or EU Help as there is no adequate Medical treatment in Zambia and that according to the Judge he should be getting this “Under the judge’s pleasure” whatever that may mean.
I would also have thought that Pete as a British subject or any other subject will have the right to a consultation by a second PROPERLY Qualified Psychiatrist .
I am not questioning the the 1st persons qualifications but I am of the opinion that one can Query the 1st persons Competence to make such a diagnosis. After all, a
Sick person as fond by a Jdge SHUD HAVE TH RIGHT to a 2nd opinion othrwise the Patient’s Human rights and Ethical Isues that the Pts right to have, have been VIOLATED. I suggest that th matter B snt 2 EU Humn rts Comm. OR…