Shakafuswa pleads not guilty, granted bail

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Katuba member of Parliament (MP) Jonas Shakafuswa has pleaded not guilty to four counts of alleged unlawful wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

On Sunday, police in Kaoma arrested Mr Shakafuswa for allegedly assaulting some Patriotic Front (PF) cadres during a clash at Mwanambuyu Primary School.
Shakafuswa, 48, of plot number 3939, Ngwerere in Lusaka, appeared in a packed courtroom at the Kaoma Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
In the first count, Shakafuswa is on August 16 this year accused of having unlawfully wounded Sikanena Akabondo in Mwanambuyu area of Mangango.
In the second, third and fourth counts, Shakafuswa is on the same day accused of assaulting, thereby occasioning actual bodily harm on Bosco Kawanga, Sinyinda Mukosiku and Phinius Imboela, respectively.
And defence lawyer Mwiinga Cheelo applied to the court that his client be granted bail pending trial.
“We are alive to the fact, your worship, that bail is granted not as obliged but pursuit to your discretion and powers.
“My client, your worship, is a Zambian, who is of fixed aboard and ready to abide by any conditions that your worship may attach in the event you execute your discretionary powers in granting him bail,” he said.
Mr Cheelo said his client is an MP and that the nation would be deprived of his services if denied bail.
He added that the four charges against Shakafuswa were all bailable.
State prosecutor James Kalima did not object to the application by the defence lawyer.
Ms Sifali granted Shakafuswa a K2,000 cash bail with two credible sureties, who are Kaoma residents, in their own recognisance.
The matter has been adjourned to September 18 for commencement of trial.
And a UPND cadre has pleaded not guilty to two counts of alleged malicious damage to property and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Iwano Chitoma, 36, a peasant farmer of Samwaka village in Chief Mwanatete’s area, also appeared before Ms Sifali and pleaded not guilty.
Chitoma was also arrested on Sunday and remanded in custody.

Zambia Daily Mail