Chipata businessman in court for assaulting Breeze FM reporter
By Staff Reporter
The Lundazi Magistrate Court yesterday heard how Breeze FM reporter Grace Lungu was assaulted by a 41-year-old Chipata businessman during the Mkomba Ward Local government by-election on February 12, 2019.
This is in a matter where Frank Mwale, a Patriotic Front cadre, is charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and theft of money amounting to K400.
Earlier on, the accused had to take another plea of not guilty before Magistrate Joseph Kapila, after Resident Magistrate, Edward Chisanga, declared interest in the matter.
Speaking during trial, the first and second witnesses Grace Lungu 25 a journalist from Breeze Fm and Lengani Kanyinji 39 a taxi driver, both told the court that on February 12th, 2019, their vehicle was blocked by a Toyota Hilux white in colour which they earlier overtook on their way to Mkomba where the complainant was assigned to cover a by-election.
They said unknown people disembarked from the car and dragged Kanyinji out of his car and started beating him before Frank Mwale pulled Lungu out of the car and slapped her after grabbing her handbag which contained K400.
And the third witness, Police Chief Inspector Cosmas Chileshe 45 who is also Senior Liaison Officer under Community Service Directorate based at Chipata police station, told the court how he helped the victim identify the accused person at Mkomba polling station.
The fourth witness who is the arresting officer in this matter Detective Inspector Elijah Ndhlovu 44 based at Chadiza police station submitted to the court a medical report which indicated that Grace sustained bruises on the lower lips, had swollen cheeks and was bleeding from the nose and mouth as a result of beatings.
Inspector Ndhlovu added that the K400 K
cash was also stolen from the complainant’s hand bag on the same day.
Magistrate Kabila has since adjourned the matter to August 12th 2019 for ruling and the bail for the accused person has been extended.
