Councillor Shakafuswa appears in court for assault

PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) Mpulungu Ward 23 Councillor Christopher Shakafuswa has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to one count of assault.

Shakufuswa, 37, a civic leader and farmer, is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, contrary to Section 248 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on April 20, 2019 in Lusaka, Shakafuswa assaulted Mazili Namwiinga thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.

When the matter came up yesterday before Lusaka Magistrate Nthandose Chabala, Shakafuswa denied the charge.

At this point, public prosecutor Muleya Simusa applied to the Court to vary bond conditions because Shakafuswa did not provide sureties when he was granted police bond.

Mr Simusa said this would pose a challenge to the State should the accused decide to flee as there were no sureties to contact.

In response, Shakafuswa told the court that he had no intentions of fleeing as he is a civic leader, a public servant and a resident of Lusaka.

“I cannot run. I will continue to make myself available to this court,” he said.

In her ruling, Ms Chabala enhanced Shakafuswa’s bond conditions after noticing that he was given the police bond without sureties.

She ordered that the accused provide two working sureties from reputable organisations bound in the sum of K3, 000 each in their own recognisance.

“I have heard arguments and submissions by the State and the defence, it is clear that the accused has no sureties.

You will therefore provide two working sureties from reputable organisations bound in the sum of K3, 000 each in their own recognisance. You will be remanded in custody until you meet the conditions,” she said.

The matter has been adjourned to May 21, 2019 for commencement of trial.

Outside court, Ms Namwiinga told journalists that she was still receiving threats from suspected cadres.

According to social media reports, Namwiinga was assaulted by Shakafuswa and the suspected cadres at Shaka’s Kraal.

It is alleged that Namwiinga went to claim payment of money for two security lights supplied to Shaka’s Kraal where she was beaten.