Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Lusaka Senior Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga has ordered that incarcerated UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and his co-accused be taken to court on Wednesday to attend court proceedings in a matter the opposition leader has asked the court to cite Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili for contempt.
Magistrate Wishimanga has since adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 21st June, at 12:00 hours.
This was after the complainants, Mr Hichilema and five of his co-accused were not brought to court.
Magistrate Wishimanga ordered that the officers responsible for bringing Mr. Hichilema and his co-accused should ensure that they are in court on Wednesday or they will be cited for contempt of court.
This is in the case in which the UPND leader has asked the court to institute contempt of court proceedings against Reverend Sumaili over her prejudicial comment that he pushed President Edgar Lungu to the wall by not recognizing him as Head of State that is why he is in prison.
Earlier, one of the Lawyers representing Mr. Hichilema, Keith Mweemba argued that the law requires that the complainant in this case Mr. Hichilema and others are brought to court and that because of that, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) cannot begin advancing arguments of preliminary issues in the absence of the complainants.
And another of Mr. Hichilema’s Lawyers Gilbert Phiri argued that the court must stand down the matter until the UPND leader is brought before the court.
He submitted that Kabwe is not far from Lusaka, and therefore the matter can proceed in the afternoon when the complainants are in court.
But Reverend Sumaili’s Lawyer Eric Silwamba argued that the court has only two solutions to either adjourn or dismiss the matter.
Meanwhile, some UPND sympathizers booed Reverend Sumaili as she left the court room shortly after Magistrate Wishimanga adjourned the matter to Wednesday.
Some UPND supporters could be heard insulting the Religious Affairs Minister as she was rushed by unknown people to her vehicle which sped off.