You could be cited for contempt - magistrate warns absentee Mushipe
LUSAKA Magistrate Felix Kaoma yesterday warned UPND lawyer, Martha Mushipe that she risked being cited for contempt while her bail would be revoked if she continues missing court session in a case in which she is charged for being in possession of seditious materials. This was after one of Mushipe’s lawyers, informed the court that his client was not present before court because she was attending to other matters.
But Magistrate Kaoma said Mushipe’s continued absenteeism in court was uncalled for, further warning that she risked having her bail revoked and cited for contempt of court if she continued absenting herself from attending the proceedings. “I ‘am issuing a warning to the accused that her bail will be revoked if she continues absenting herself from court but appears to have time to attend to her own matters and clients,” he said. Magistrate Kaoma adjourned the matter to March 23rd and April 4th 2018 for mention and April 20th 2018 for continued trial, and the accused person’s bail has been extended. The charge relates to a confidential document entitled “Strategy of domination PF against opposition UPND 2015 – 2016 and beyond” which allegedly reffered to the violence against the opposition.
The document is alleged to have been authored by former Justice Minister Dr Ngosa Simbyakula and two others.