FORMER PF Province political secretary remanded in custody

FORMER Patriotic Front Southern Province political secretary Brian Hapunda has been remanded in custody following the revocation of his police bond by the Livingstone Magistrate Court.
Magistrate Adsen Shanduba revoked the bond after Hapunda’s failure to appear before court on the expected dates.
Hapunda is facing five counts of uttering false documents and obtaining money by false pretences amounting to K39, 000.
Hapunda, 30, a non-practicing lawyer and businessman, of house number 903, New Avondale, Lusaka, is being represented by Major (RTD) Isaac Masonga of KPF and Partners.
State prosecutor Judicious Chidunuka told the court that the police had apprehended Mr Hapunda.
And his submission Major Masonga said there was miscommunication on the trial date between the defense and the prosecution adding that his client was aware of September 25, this year and not September 24.
“My client is very apologetic to the court for having missed the trial date and it was not intentional, it was not meant to demean the authority of the court, it was not deliberate,” he said.
Major Masonga submitted that the prosecution had told the defense a different date and not the trial date in question as the prosecutor was on the Copperbelt on national duty.
“If it was not for this miscommunication, my client would not have missed court proceedings, as it is on record that my client has never missed not even one day of court proceedings, it is for this reason that he renders his deepest  apology to this court,”
My client is applying before this court to set aside or discharge the bench warrant, and to be given a benefit of doubt that  he shall never miss court hearing again,” he said.
And Mr Shanduba said he was revoking the police bond for Mr Hapunda as he was fully aware of the trial date.
“I am revoking the police bond for the accused person as his failure to attend court was deliberate.  The accused person should have been in court and it is sad that the accused person went for national duties instead of being in court. Your police bond will be set aside and you will be remanded in custody,” he said.
However, after bail application, Mr Hapunda would be granted a K20, 000 bail in his recognizance.  Trial has been set for November 24 this year.

Zambia Daily Mail